Cognitive Mapping in the Study of Agricultural Orality in the Apagua Community

Abstract

This research explores the application of neutrosophy to understand and address the inherent complexity in the oral transmission of knowledge in family agriculture. It leverages its ability to handle contradictions and ambiguities, facilitating a richer analysis of agricultural practices and social interactions. Orality, as the primary form of communication in these communities, is essential for the transmission of agricultural and cultural knowledge. This research highlights how orality acts as a vehicle for the preservation of collective identity and the transmission of ancestral knowledge. The study used Fuzzy Cognitive Maps (FCM) to describe the causal relationships between different variables of interest. Fieldwork was conducted between October 2023 and January 2024, using semi-structured interviews to capture the oral narrative of the farmers in Apagua. The analysis of the FCM showed that the components of cultural preservation and knowledge transmission are the most influential. This study demonstrated that neutrosophy is an effective tool for analyzing the complex dynamics of oral knowledge transmission in family agriculture. The conclusions underline the interdependence between knowledge transmission, social relationships, adaptation to changes, and cultural preservation.