Research Priorities: CGIAR researchers & Javanese Farmers Early 1990’s: –Global priority-setting exercise by CGIAR center By regions, by commodities –SE Asia, sweetpotato: Control of sweetpotato weevil; –Technology: sex pheromone
Farmers asked how they perceive pest problems in sweetpotato cultivation, Palawija cropping system, Java, Indonesia Important pests: Weevil Rats Root rots Leaf feeders Stemborer
Others in the research team surprised at these results Plant Breeder Post-harvest specialist Anthropologist Agroecologist marketing
Important problems: Fluctuating prices Trader control Processing quality Pests Farmers asked about their problems in sweetpotato cultivation, Palawija system, Java, Indonesia ( ) in some villages in drier years
Negotiated Agenda with farmers 1.Experiment with ways to reduce production costs
Negotiated Agenda with farmers Farmer Field School: crop management –Test varieties for quality –Experiment with ways to strengthen capacity to negotiate with traders
Results New varieties with appropriate processing qualities Less overfertilization leading to increased profit margin Method for estimating yield leading to better capacity to negotiate with traders
What would have happened if the work had been based on the results of the early discussions with farmers? Would it have been as relevant to farmer’s problems? Sources: van de Fliert, Braun
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