This study contributes to the ongoing discussion on how to attribute and evaluate the contribution of transdisciplinary research to sustainable development. As co-created knowledge is a key product of transdisciplinary research, we tested the hypothesis that the extent to which this knowledge is utilized beyond the project consortia, in different areas – from scientific methods and insights to policy decisions – and across a continuum of geographical scales can be used to identify potential impact pathways. For this purpose, we developed an analytical framework that links the transdisciplinary process to six possible utilization stages, which we used as indicators of the usability of co-created knowledge. We gathered data from 22 research projects active in 36 countries using a survey and semi-structured interviews. Our results show that even during implementation of the projects, co-created knowledge is utilized by multiple actors at different stages, in all areas and at all scales simultaneously, suggesting multiple impact pathways. Project knowledge is predominantly utilized for national-level policymaking, and research partners named co-creation of knowledge with key stakeholders as the most frequently used mechanism for promoting knowledge utilization. Closer analysis revealed different understandings of and approaches to knowledge co-creation. These can be linked to weaker or stronger definitions of transdisciplinarity. The analysis shows that researchers using strong transdisciplinarity approaches typically face challenges in encompassing multiple epistemologies and facilitating dialogue. Some results suggest that inclusion and collaboration in co-creating knowledge can empower actors otherwise excluded. Our research shows that although transdisciplinary projects have nonlinear impact pathways, these can be partially assessed using the proposed analytical framework. Further, our results indicate a link between usability, inclusion, and collaboration in transdisciplinary research. We conclude with the observation that transdisciplinarity and its requirements still need to be better understood by actors within and beyond the research community.
Tag: smallholder
Development of an integrated assessment framework for agroforestry technologies: assessing sustainability, barriers, and impacts in the semi-arid region of Dodoma, Tanzania
This study examines agroforestry as a solution to land degradation in Tanzania, highlighting both its benefits for food production and the challenges hindering widespread adoption. Using an integrated assessment framework that combines MESMIS (a sustainability assessment tool) and ScalA (a scaling-up evaluation method), researchers assess the sustainability and barriers to agroforestry implementation in semi-arid regions. The study focuses on three key objectives: identifying agroforestry technologies adopted by smallholder farmers, evaluating farmers’ perceptions of sustainability across environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and pinpointing constraints to broader adoption. Findings indicate that farmers view four agroforestry techniques as the most sustainable: (i) tied ridge + tree intercropping, (ii) contour planting + tree intercropping, (iii) Chololo pits + tree intercropping, and (iv) tree intercropping alone. Despite positive perceptions, adoption is influenced by climate conditions, socio-economic factors, and institutional support. The study underscores that favorable perceptions alone do not guarantee widespread adoption, emphasizing the need to consider contextual influences. Researchers advocate for further testing and application of this framework in similar settings to provide holistic insights into agroecosystem sustainability.
Using a choice experiment approach to assess production tradeoffs for developing the croton value chain in Kenya
Indigenous visions: painting the future in southwest China
Filling food harvest and nutrient ‘gaps’ in local diets through site specific food tree and crop portfolios
Enabling Small Holders to Produce Nutritious Food through Agroforestry in Odisha State- A Case Study
Developing integrated options and accelerating scaling up of agroforestry for improved food security and resilient livelihoods in Eastern Africa – Trees for Food Security – 2 (FST/2015/039 )
Crop vs. tree: Can agronomic management reduce trade-offs in tree-crop interactions?
Diversification and intensification of agricultural adaptation from global to local scales
Smart strategies for enhanced agricultural resilience and food security under a changing climate in sub-saharan Africa
Africa’s population, growing at a rate of 2.7 %, reached 1.1 billion as of mid-2015 and is projected to be 1.7 billion in 2030, 2.5 billion in 2050 and 4.4 billion in 2100. This population depends on agricultural outputs from smallholder farmers who cultivate small parcels of, mostly degraded, land and have no access to reliable irrigation, affordable inputs, financial credit services, output markets and agricultural information. Thus, food security remains a great concern with ~220 million people (23.2 %) having been unable to consume enough food to lead active and healthy lives in 2014-2016. This is an increase of ~44 million people from 1990-1992. Ensuring food security without compromising sustainability of land resources under a rapidly growing population and changing climate is among the major challenges of this era. In this chapter, we present climate-smart agriculture (CSA) as an approach that can be adopted to increase agricultural productivity and incomes in environmentally and socially sustainable ways, enhance farmers’ resilience and mitigate climate change in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Specifically, we describe the array of proven practical techniques that underpin CSA, highlight soil as a limited resource and emphasise the importance of its sound management for present and future use. As none of the CSA technologies individually offers a magic bullet solution to the foregoing challenges and most of the promising technologies are founded on local knowledge, local and scientific knowledge must be integrated when choosing the most suitable climate-smart technologies and practices for any given agro-ecology. We thus recommend creating policies and multi-sectoral and multi-agency approaches which foster partnerships between governments, the private sector and non-governmental organisations to achieve CSA in SSA. © Springer International Publishing AG 2016.