Tag: knowledge
Village centres to boost cocoa production
The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) has, with other partners, set up the Vision for Change (V4C) project to boost production of cocoa. In the first phase of the project, 2010 to 2013, sixteen Cocoa Development Centre (CDCs) were set up by the project to demonstrate, on farmers’ fields, various recommended technologies for cocoa rehabilitation. Particularly impressive are grafted trees; within 12 months of grafting, new stems on old cocoa trees are producing large, healthy pods. ‘Total replanting’ trials established in 2010 now boast young trees with bright green leaves and characteristic auburn tops, their branches heavy with fruit. Through their role of uniting farmers with better seedlings and services, the 53 new CVC operators will be front and centre of this effort to raise cocoa productivity. More training of CVC operators is planned so the region gets covered.
Linking Knowledge to Action: Co-developing best-bet options for integrated soil fertility management in agricultural landscapes of Africa
The main objective of the project was to pass on knowledge to approximately 700 farmers and 75 extension staff. To achieve the knowledge transfer targets during the project, a 5-day national workshop was organized to train agricultural professionals. From the national workshop, 10 trainees were identified to support the training of farmers in a 5-day sub national workshop.
AFSCC-III: ICRAF support to the Asean-Swiss Partnership on Social forestry and climate change (Project standee poster)
AFSCC-III introduction with key activities, expected outputs andpartners
Uncertainty, ignorance and ambiguity in crop modelling for African agricultural adaptation
Drawing on social constructivist approaches to interpreting the generation of knowledge, particularly Stirling’s (Local Environ 4(2):111–135, 1999) schema of incomplete knowledge, this paper looks critically at climate-crop modelling, a research discipline of growing importance within African agricultural adaptation policy. A combination of interviews with climate and crop modellers, a meta-analysis survey of crop modelling conducted as part of the CGIAR’s Climate Change Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) programme in 2010, and peer-reviewed crop and climate modelling literature are analysed. Using case studies from across the crop model production chain as illustrations it is argued that, whilst increases in investment and growth of the modelling endeavour are undoubtedly improving observational data and reducing ignorance, the future of agriculture remains uncertain and ambiguous. The expansion of methodological options, assumptions about system dynamics, and divergence in model outcomes is increasing the space and need for more deliberative approaches to modelling and policy making. Participatory and deliberative approaches to science-policy are advanced in response. The discussion highlights the problem that, uncertainty and ambiguity become hidden within the growing complexity of conventional climate and crop modelling science, as such, achieving the transparency and accessibility required to democratise climate impact assessments represents a significant challenge. Suggestions are made about how these challenges might be responded to within the climate-crop modelling community.
Producing scientific knowledge in Africa today: auto-ethnographic insights from a climate change researcher
This chapter analyses a life-history interview with an African climate change researcher, Mbow, to explore the conditions for scientific knowledge production in Africa. Mbow’s history points to three important and intertwined issues that played out differently through the different phases of his life: an inherited or colonial curriculum; universality of knowledge, namely the transfer of methods and theories from the Global North; and the cultural production of African researchers. The chapter shows how the post-colonial school system in Senegal was modelled over the French system and thus how difficult it was for Mbow to become independent of the colonial heritage. Through a capacity building programme, Mbow gained the competences necessary to question the transfer of theories and methods from the Global North and become an African emancipated researcher producing knowledge of relevance for Africa. The discussion draws on these analyses in order to discuss issues related to producing climate change research in Africa today. The chapter is concluded by arguing that it is necessary to take local experience-based knowledge into account in climate change research; therefore, researchers need to problematize climatic knowledge, particularise climatic experience, and pluralise climatic meaning by integrating local experience-based knowledge.
Governing knowledge transfer for deforestation monitoring: Insights from REDD+ projects in the Congo Basin region
Since the end of 2000s, many forest-rich countries have engaged into results-based deforestation reduction monitoring under REDD+ mechanisms. A set of methods and tools designed at international level is expected to be transferred to the domestic level in many developing countries, in order to generate information on how these countries contribute to global emissions reduction through local forest landscapes. Using the monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) device as an example, this paper sets out to analyze this knowledge transfer by identifying bottlenecks. It proposes an original analysis that will help to better understand how such knowledge transfers could be improved at the domestic level. Based on empirical case studies related to REDD+ projects in Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, it assesses knowledge transfer and the role of stakeholders involved at multiple levels (global, regional, national and local). For this purpose, we used the Research Integration and Utilization (RIU) model, which is an analytical framework allowing analyses showing how scientific results can be owned, integrated and disseminated to meet specific needs. Results show that there is a weakness in MRV knowledge transfer from global to local levels and back. The MRV knowledge has a strong research background, a weak MRV knowledge integration and a mitigated direct utilization. The RIU model allows us to identify significant weaknesses in the transfer of MRV knowledge, including institutional dysfunction, weak institutional coordination, a lack of integration and reduced utilization of the scientific knowledge produced, despite the creation of coordinating institutions. These weaknesses are due partly to the absence of a common platform between exogenous and endogenous knowledge. To overcome these obstacles, synergies between scientists and indigenous actors should be explored and developed.
Facilitating adaptive learning and science, practice, and policy linkages through inclusive and evidence-based decision-making
This brief shares key learnings and insights emerging from the programme’s application of the Stakeholder Approach to Risk Informed and Evidence-based Decision-making (SHARED) approach in support of enhancing the scale and effectiveness of restoration interventions in Africa.
One Million Voices Global Review: A review and analysis of existing citizen science initiatives and projects supporting agroecology and agroecological transitions
This report summarizes the results of a global review and analysis of citizen science projects supporting agroecology and agroecological transitions. The purpose of the review is to provide information on existing projects and inspire the development of a citizen science tool that enables inclusive participation in agroecology movements. The report aims to promote sustainable adoption of agroecology, fill knowledge gaps, and avoid duplication. It also contributes to four regional dialogues that were held to support the development of the One Million Voices of Agroecology digital platform.
The review used four data streams, including three citizen science platforms, a literature review, projects proposed by the One Million Voices citizen science initiative, and a Google search. The report includes 57 projects categorized into agricultural production, agroecosystems, and markets, consumption, and diets. Most projects focus on natural farming, with some addressing social justice and circular economy aspects. However, none of the projects fully encompass all aspects of agroecology, and there is a lack of accessible projects in the Global South and those focusing on elements beyond on-farm practices.
The report provides recommendations for the One Million Voices citizen science initiative. These recommendations include understanding participants’ motivations, providing benefits to participants, ensuring accessibility for diverse groups, keeping participation tasks simple, and leveraging existing networks and partnerships.