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CBN-V Video Archives - S1A
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Report of Participatory Research Workshop
Veronica Mera
6
November, 2001
Chairpersons: Chusa Gines and Ann-Marie Thro
Reporter: Linley Chiwona-Karltun
Main issues discussed
1. Context and process
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Who is the target audience?
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Should be driven by problem/needs and not just restricted to a few
players
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Farmers and other users should be included in the process as active
participants
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Define the boundaries of participatory research and target groups
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Define participants and responsibilities and division of
accountability
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Participation should be a collegial research relationship and inform
about opportunities
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Need common ground partnership
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Research creativity and innovation should also be part of the
collaboration
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Participatory research should take place in farmers’ fields as well
as research stations
2. Methodological aspects
How do we measure impact
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Short term
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Long term
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Are farmers better off and how
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What are the positive effects of behaviour change
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Document process of participation and record problems, success,
costs and milestones
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How de we extrapolate or scale-up from individual/community needs
3. Related issues
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Micro-enterprises and income generating activities should be
included, as a model look into the concept of “Incubadores de
empresas” or microenterprise generating schemes. Fomin
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What is the role of participatory research in engaging farmers in
the decision-making process about GMO’s?
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Take perception of consumers about GMO’s into account
Recommendations
1. Conduct analysis on who the end-users of biotechnology are and
proper diagnosis of the context and situation before launching into
projects and activities
2. Value the process and not just the product. Lessons can be learnt
in terms of organizational and other limiting factors to the success
of a project
3. Use biotech as a tool to meet farmers’ needs and not as the
driving force
4. Participatory research should take into consideration the entire
chain including industry, processors and consumers
5. CBN can play a critical role in establishing the linkages between
research and end-users, and facilitating collaboration of
multidisciplinary teams.
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Donald Danforth Plant Science Center All rights reserved.
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