Transforming Science into Practice

The space for action that might move agricultural systems toward sustainability is narrowing. In so far as increasing dis-order in agroecosystems and food systems is caused by human agency, then remedial action must take account of cognition. This article argues that an understanding of cognitive processes is essential, as the foundation for participatory R, D & E that builds platforms of cooperation, binding actors into communities of learning that are trasnforming both science and practice

Gender-Related Impacts and the Work of the International Agricultural Research Centers

CGIAR Study Paper on the pertinence of gender issues to international agricultural research, based on the importance of gender roles to intra-household resource allocation, child nutrition, and women's participation in production, post harvest processing, and markets. The paper argues for the CGIAR to adapt its programs accordingly, expanding research to explicitly analyze both the different contributions of men and women, and the different impacts of new technologies on them. Written by Janice Jiggins and published as CGIAR Study Paper No. 17, the paper was part of the series comprising the CGIAR Impact Study of 1986 and an important background document to the establishment of the CGIAR Gender Program five years later

Abriendo nuevos zurcos: Apoyando a las agricultoras en el oeste de Zambia

En años recientes se han llevado a cabo varios proyectos de pequeña escala en todo el continente africano con el fin de incorporar a las agricultoras en los servicios oficiales de apoyo a la agricultura. Esta edición de SEEDS presenta un interesante ejemplo de este tipo de iniciativa realizado en la Provincia Occidental de la República de Zambia—el Programa de Extensión para Mujeres de la División de Economía Doméstica del Departamento de Agricultura. El objetivo del proyecto es hacer un cambio radical en la manera en que funciona una burocracia agrícola al redefinir los mandatos, fomentar un cambio de actitud a través de los programas de capacitación del personal, y promover oportunidades de desarrollo a nivel de aldea, siendo más sensibles a las necesidades de los aldeanos y, en última instancia, aumentando el número de programas de investigación económica y técnica. La experiencia de este programa demuestra que para alcanzar con éxito a las mujeres y satisfacer sus necesidades, se necesitan una variedad de enfoques. Over the last few decades, small-scale projects have been developed throughout Africa to help incorporate women farmers into the mainstream of agricultural extension services. This edition of SEEDS presents an interesting example from Zambia\u27s Western Province—the Women\u27s Extension Program, located within the Home Economics Section of the Department of Agriculture. This program is working to change a government agricultural bureaucracy from within by redefining mandates, encouraging attitude change through staff training, broadening village-level opportunities and perceptions, and widening technical and economic research agendas. The program’s experience emphasizes the importance of using a variety of approaches in order to effectively reach women farmers and meet their needs

Faire oeuvre de pionnier: Atteindre les femmes agriculteurs en Zambie occidentale

Au cours des dernières décennies, des projets à petite-échelle furent mis en place sur I\u27ensemble du continent africain pour tenter d\u27incorporer les femmes aux politiques de développement agricole. Dans ce numéro de SEEDS, on présente un exemple particulièrement éloquent qui vient de la Province Occidentale de la Zambie—le Programme de Vulgarisation à I\u27intention des Femmes à partir des locaux de la division Économie ménagère du Département de I\u27Agriculture. Le projet en question vise à operer un changement radical de la manière dont fonctionne une bureaucratie agricole en redéfinissant les mandates, en encourageant un changement d\u27attitude par le biais de programmes de formation du personnel, en favorisant les possibilités de développement au niveau des villages tout en étant plus sensible aux besoins des villageois, et, finalement, en multipliant les programmes de recherche économique et technique. L’expérience de ce programme démontre que pour réussir à atteindre les femmes et répondre à leurs besoins, une variété d\u27approches sont nécessaires. Over the last few decades, small-scale projects have been developed throughout Africa to help incorporate women farmers into the mainstream of agricultural extension services. This edition of SEEDS presents an interesting example from Zambia\u27s Western Province—the Women\u27s Extension Program, located within the Home Economics Section of the Department of Agriculture. This program is working to change a government agricultural bureaucracy from within by redefining mandates, encouraging attitude change through staff training, broadening village-level opportunities and perceptions, and widening technical and economic research agendas. The program’s experience emphasizes the importance of using a variety of approaches in order to effectively reach women farmers and meet their needs

Breaking new ground: Reaching out to women farmers in western Zambia

Over the last few decades, small-scale projects have been developed throughout Africa to help incorporate women farmers into the mainstream of agricultural extension services. This edition of SEEDS presents an interesting example from Zambia\u27s Western Province—the Women\u27s Extension Program, located within the Home Economics Section of the Department of Agriculture. This program is working to change a government agricultural bureaucracy from within by redefining mandates, encouraging attitude change through staff training, broadening village-level opportunities and perceptions, and widening technical and economic research agendas. The program’s experience emphasizes the importance of using a variety of approaches in order to effectively reach women farmers and meet their needs

Report of the external review of the Innovation, Technology and Society (ITS) Program

The review is a summative evaluation of the performance of the Innovation, Technology and Society (ITS) program, in order to take stock of strengths and weaknesses as it nears the end of the first five-year cycle of funding. Key findings of the review indicate that the implementation of the prospectus overall has been weak due to lack of clarity regarding strategy. Located in the Innovation, Policy and Society (IPS) Program Area, ITS aimed at developing improved understanding, capacities and linkages among innovation system actors, improved Science and Technology policy making, along with strengthening learning capabilities in support of innovation and governance of new technologies

Women and Seasonality: Coping with Crisis and Calamity

SUMMARY This article explores the contribution of female production, labour and domestic domain services to the management of seasonal stress, crisis and calamity, under the headings: switching tasks and responsibilities ascribed by gender; diversifying household income sources; changing the intensity and mix of multiple occupations; household gardening and common property resources; food processing, preservation and preparation; social organisation; gift?giving. It offers an analysis of adversity and calamity which pinpoints the resilience of networks of female?headed households and raises new questions concerning risk preference, probability assessment and the valuation of female labour time. RESUME Les Femmes et les Variations Saisonnières: Faire face aux Crises et aux Calamités Sous les titres suivants, cet article explore la contribution que les femmes apportent à l'organisation de la tension saisonnière, aux crises et aux désastres, par leur production, leur labeur et leurs services dans le domaine domestique: changement dans les travaux et les responsabilités assignés par le genre; diversifier les sources de revenu du ménage; changer l'intensité et l'association des occupations multiples; culture du jardin familial et resources communautaires; traitement, conservation et préparation de la nourriture; organisation sociale; échange de dons. Il offre une analyse des concepts d'adversité et de calamité qui cerne la résistance des réseaux de ménages où la femme est chef de famille et soulèvent de nouvelles questions concernant les priorités vis à vis des risques à prendre, les calculs de probabilité et l'évaluation du temps de travail de la femme. RESUMEN Mujeres y estacionalidad: enfrentando la crisis y la calamidad Este artículo examina la contribución de la producción de las mujeres, así como su trabajo y servicios en la esfera doméstica, en el manejo de las tensiones estacionales, las crisis y las calamidades. Los subtítulos pertinentes son: cambio de tareas y responsabilidades adscritas según sexo; diversificación de las fuentes de ingresos del hogar; cambio en la intensidad y combinación de ocupaciones múltiples; jardín del hogar y recursos comunitarios; procesamiento de alimentos, preservación y preparación; organización social; entrega de regalos. Proporciona un análisis de la adversidad y calamidad que destaca la recuperación de la interconexión de los hogares dependientes de jefes de hogar mujeres y plantea nuevas preguntas relativas a la preferencia por riesgos, la evaluación de probabilidades y la valoración del tiempo de trabajo de la mujer