Technology

Cost effectiveness of seed fairs relative to direct relief distribution in Zimbabwe

Seed fairs were being promoted in Zimbabwe as an alternative seed distribution approach to sustain local input markets. Using data from ICRISAT monitoring surveys of 2005–06 and records maintained by non-governmental organisations, this article reveals that seed fairs were more cost effective in distributing local seed compared to direct distribution of imported seed. The article found that, in order to supply one household with a seed pack, it will cost an agency US$5.18 through seed fair compared to US$8.22 through direct seed distribution. Vouchers redeemable in retail shops are proposed as an incentive for local shops to stock and distribute agricultural inputs.

The full article is available here:

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09614524.2012.696580

 

Author: 
Mazvimavi, Kizito
Author: 
Pedzisa, Tarisayi
Author: 
Murendo, Conrad
Author: 
Minde, Isaac J.
Author: 
Ndlovu, Patrick V.
Page: 
978

Action research exploring information communication technologies (ICT) and child protection in Thailand

Traditional approaches to protecting children are insufficient to meet the complex issues they now face, and inter-sectoral, child-centred strategies are needed. Addressing this, the International Institute for Child Rights and Development (IICRD) developed the Circle of Rights (COR), a participatory action research approach to involve children in ‘bottom-up’ protection work. This paper describes COR in Thailand through the Child Protection Partnership (CPP), a project focused on ICT child protection.

Author: 
Cook, Philip H.
Author: 
Heykoop, Cheryl
Author: 
Anuntavoraskul, Athapol
Author: 
Vibulphol, Jutarat
Page: 
574

Is the doctor on? In search of users for medical software in rural Himalayas

The Indian healthcare sector provides ripe ground for development as access to high-quality and timely medical diagnosis remains unrequited among its vast rural populace. With an acute shortage of doctors in rural areas, medical diagnostic software has been created as a surrogate, propelling non-physician workers to step in. For diagnostic software to function effectively, it is paramount to identify the user.

Author: 
Arora, Payal
Page: 
180

Transdisciplinary innovation research in Uzbekistan – one year of ‘Follow-the-Innovation’

In 2008, a German-funded interdisciplinary research project in Khorezm province, Uzbekistan, initiated a participatory approach to innovation development and diffusion with local stakeholders. Selected agricultural innovations, developed by the project and identified as ‘plausible promises’, have since then been tested and modified accordingly by teams of researchers, local farmers and water users.

Author: 
Hornidge, Anna-Katharina
Author: 
Ul Hassan, Mehmood
Author: 
Mollinga, Peter P.
Page: 
834

Digital technology uses for sustainable management of natural resources in multicultural contexts

This article questions the notion that the use of digital technologies guarantees better policy development for the sustainable management of natural resources, particularly in multicultural contexts. It is argued that input of digital technologies could positively or negatively affect the geopolitical projects and development strategies pursued by indigenous peoples.

 

Author: 
Forero, Oscar A.
Page: 
822

Attitude counts: engaging with rice farmers in West Africa

An international project called PADS promoted participatory learning and action research with inland valley rainfed rice farmers in West Africa. All countries received the same training, similar funding, and the same leadership. Although the staff in Ghana were conscientious and gave much training to the farmer beneficiaries, the Mali staff explicitly encouraged farmers to experiment. Farmers in Mali responded to this favourable attitude by experimenting more than those in Ghana, and in qualitatively more interesting ways.

Author: 
Van Mele, Paul
Author: 
Bentley, Jeffery W.
Author: 
Dacko, Rosaline Maiga
Author: 
Yattara, Kalifa
Author: 
Acheampong, George K.
Page: 
806

What determines poverty transition? An investigation of women livestock farmers in Bangladesh

This article evaluates poverty transition using self-assessment in a quasi-experimental framework. Data are drawn from a survey conducted in 2006 of 400 women who were the beneficiaries of a poverty-alleviation programme which involved longer-term interventions towards building the strength of government departments, participating organisations, and beneficiaries. During the survey, when the project was approaching its conclusion, about 50 per cent of these farmers were still in the programme.

Author: 
Akter, Shaheen
Author: 
Farrington, John
Page: 
269

Addressing the research–development disconnect: lessons from East and Central African Highlands

A growing concern about the limited impact of agricultural research and development on natural-resources management (NRM) and livelihoods in the highlands of East and Central Africa led to the establishment in 1995 of the African Highlands Initiative, with a mandate to develop methodologies for integrated NRM and institutionalise them in partner organisations. Emerging lessons show that a combination of innovative approaches is necessary for enhanced uptake of NRM practices.

Author: 
Mowo, Jeremias
Author: 
Opondo, Chris
Author: 
Nyaki, Adolf
Author: 
Adimassu, Zenebe
Page: 
994

The impact of agricultural research: evidence from West Africa

Can agricultural research help to enlist smallholders and their resources for global food security? The Convergence of Sciences (CoS) research programme in Benin and Ghana (2002–2006) tested the impact of technology development, using a pathway for impact which featured ‘technographies’, diagnostic studies, and farmer-experimenter groups to ensure appropriateness. Within the existing small windows of opportunity only marginal improvements proved possible.

Author: 
Röling, Niels
Page: 
959

Changing the world of development research? An insight into theory and practice

Development research has been through many stages over the past few decades and during this time has experienced fluctuating appreciation by development practice. There is an increasing gap between different ways of doing development research. For some, the purpose of development research is primarily to influence policies, and in order to do this development research has to reframe its whole approach, language, and methodology.

Author: 
Habermann, Birgit
Author: 
Langthaler, Margarita
Page: 
771
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