S1-16
Cassava and Users: Determining Needs and Priorities in Ecuador
Mera V., H. Caballero, C.M.J.Ginés
Cassava Biotechnology Network, CIAT, Av. Eloy Alfaro y Amazonas, Edificio MAG, Quito, Ecuador
C.GINES@CGIAR.ORG
The
cassava Biotechnology Network (CBN) is implementing a project in
Latin America on Strategies for
Integrating Small-Scale End-Users in Research Agenda-Setting, Testing
and Evaluation. One of
the components of this project is the development of participatory
methodologies and the strategic use of social science to ensure that end
users have a real voice in decision-making in the development and
implementation of biotechnologies. Social scientists will work with biotechnologists to refine
methods for priority setting, differentiating and targeting diverse
users (including the very poor and women), and enhancing involvement of
farmers in multiple stages of technology development and evaluation. One pilot sites is located in Ecuador, where the CBN
is carrying out a diagnostic study to grasp the actual situation of
cassava producers in relation to cassava production, processing and
commercialization, with a focus on the coastal Province of Manabi. The diagnosis uses ethnographic methodology and participatory
and gender analysis, and will be directed at understanding cassava
production in relation to the entire agro-ecosystem.
One result will be an analysis of the social dimensions of
cassava production in the communities and the factors related to changes
in farming practices. Moreover,
this study will use Geographic
Information System (GIS) to integrate the information gathered in the
field, which should allow for the visualization of the spatial
distribution of users, cassava varieties and management of the system
and for comparisons among agro-ecological zones. A product of this study
will be a descriptive and analytic document of the actual situation for
the country, and can be used as tool for future actions and plans in
Ecuador.
.
|
