This paper asks: What have been the impacts of farmer-or community-led (informal) processes of research and development in agriculture and natural resource management in terms of food security, ecological sustainability, economic empowerment, gender relations, local capacity to innovate and influence on formal agricultural research and development institutions? An innovative conceptual framework was applied to a diverse set of farmer-led research initiatives in countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America to explore approaches, outcomes and impacts of informal agricultural research and development (ARD) facilitated by civil society organisations. Findings include the following: locally appropriate technical innovations emerging from these processes are readily taken up by other farmers; the most common channels of dissemination are farmer to farmer through informal networks and spaces created for farmer-researchers and other farmers to meet and exchange, such as innovation fairs; livelihood impacts are broad and substantial; local capacity to innovate is strengthened and institutionalisation through the formal sector has been limited. Lessons are drawn for future partnerships in promoting and supporting farmer-led research involving formal and informal ARD actors working with smallholder communities.

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ISBN 978 1 85339 392 1 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without the written permission of the publishers.A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.The contributors have asserted their rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as authors of their respective contributions.Since 1974, Practical Action Publishing has published and disseminated books and information in support of international development work throughout the world. Practical Action Publishing (formerly ITDG Publishing) is a trading name of Intermediate Technology Publications Ltd (Company Reg. No. 1159018), the wholly owned publishing company of Intermediate Technology Development Group Ltd (working name Practical Action). Practical Action Publishing trades only in support of its parent charity objectives and any profits are covenanted back to Practical Action (Charity Reg. No. 247257, Group VAT Registration No. 880 9924 76).Typeset by J&L Composition Ltd, Filey, North Yorkshire, UK Contents IntroductionGrasping f'ers' research 1. Let's try it out and see how it works 31 by Ueli Scheuermeier A provocative exploration into what triggers off innovation by farmers. The author finds the instinctive notion of 'situational knowledge' more practical than the conventional approach through problem analysis. In his experience, the latter does not lead to real solutions. He still regards the scientific approach as valid, but only as one 'window' of exploration among many others. Examples from Nepal and from the Swiss Alps illustrate that the most important skill needed in agricultural development is the ability to facilitate interactive situations that bring together the pragmatism of rural people and the analytical skills of scientists. The craft of farming and experimentation. 39 by Arthur Stolzenbach A closer look at the logic and methods of informal experiments by Malian farmers revealed ,. how difficult it is to separate experimentation from farming practice. Case examples show that farmers explore new things or test hypotheses, but particularly that they do 'move-testing' experiments: taking action and watching closely to see what happens. To practise farming means to act, to judge, to leam and to adjust in a series of informal experiments. Crazy but not mad 49 by Henri HocdeThe nature of farmer experimentation in Central America is the focus of this contribution. It confronts readers with the challenge: do we really know how to understand farmer experimentation? Farmers' voices are heard through numerous quotes rich with insight, anecdotes and everyday common sense. The author describes the mechanisms used by agricultural technicians to strengthen farmer experimentation based on local know-how and priorities. Innovative farmers in the Punjab 67by HS. Baj...

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