Abstract
SUMMARYAgriculture research often focuses on a technical problem. However, the most effective researchers usually intuit that this entry point is not sufficient to make themselves useful to farmers and nudge systems. Yet non-technical work frequently goes undocumented leaving many of the drivers of success unstudied. This paper attempts to understand the factors that contributed to the wide utilization of native crop varieties and species that were being promoted by the Ecuadorian National Agriculture Research Institution. The results show that what really made a difference in farmers' lives and the overall food system was increasing farmers' knowledge and capacity to produce quality seeds, promoting the consumption of these crops to national consumers, and linking farmers to outside groups. As a result, over a period of five years three case studies on three different farmer groups showed adoption rates of new varieties of between 20–50% and that they were able to produce approximately 7.5% of the annual demand for quinoa and lupin seed in Ecuador, from a starting point of virtually nothing. The research shows that the added value of a research institution might not be known at the beginning of the intervention, but rather will emerge over time through dialogue and negotiation based on systematic understanding of the context. Therefore, an appropriate stance for external organizations is to begin with an awareness of the existing assets of a specific farmer group and provide options that can be leveraged by local communities.
Highlights
SUMMA RY Agriculture research often focuses on a technical problem
Capitals as context This research explores through three case studies how different methodological options for working with communities to test and multiply seeds interact with different farmer contexts
The question that guides this research is: In what ways can understanding local capitals allow research institutions to tailor participatory research and extension options and to leverage existing assets in order to contribute to an upward spiral of sustainable development? In this case, the intervention centres on improving seed systems to address different farmers’ needs
Summary
SUMMA RY Agriculture research often focuses on a technical problem. the most effective researchers usually intuit that this entry point is not sufficient to make themselves useful to farmers and nudge systems. An appropriate stance for external organizations is to begin with an awareness of the existing assets of a specific farmer group and provide options that can be leveraged by local communities. Capitals as context This research explores through three case studies how different methodological options for working with communities to test and multiply seeds interact with different farmer contexts. These options include Farmer Field Schools (FFS), Local Agriculture. The question that guides this research is: In what ways can understanding local capitals allow research institutions to tailor participatory research and extension options and to leverage existing assets in order to contribute to an upward spiral of sustainable development?
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