Systems analysis for agroforestry research for development: the experience of and future use by ICRAF

Abstract

The experience of the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) with system analysis is evolving from a qualitative to a more quantitative approach. However, the basic philosophy that knowledge of an existing system (i.e. diagnosis) is essential to plan and evaluate relevant and effective programs in agroforestry research and development (i.e. design), remains the same. It is expected that quantifying the diagnosis of land-use systems and the design of agroforestry technologies will strengthen this basic philosophy and result in a better land use and a more effective use of the scarce research resources. ICRAF’s experience in collaborative research with national and international institutions has shown that interinstitutional linkages can help plan and implement agroforestry research and development. Such linkages should be flexible and able to suit a specific need and the prevailing institutional framework. Because of the multi-sectoral nature of agroforestry, these methodological and institutional experiences are useful in developing natural resource management (NRM) research. In addition to interinstitutional linkages, IARCs and NARS will have to deal with their own institutional challenges in designing more efficient research programmes.