1. 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

2. Farmers asked how they perceive pest problems in sweetpotato cultivation, Palawija cropping system, Java, Indonesia Important pests: Weevil  Rats  Root rots  Leaf feeders  Stemborer 

3. Others in the research team surprised at these results Plant Breeder Post-harvest specialist Anthropologist Agroecologist marketing

4. 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

5. Negotiated Agenda with farmers 1.Experiment with ways to reduce production costs

6. Negotiated Agenda with farmers Farmer Field School: crop management –Test varieties for quality –Experiment with ways to strengthen capacity to negotiate with traders

7. 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

8. 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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