AFRICAN NGOS CALL FOR FARMER-LED RESEARCH

The quest for farmer-led research and development dominated the NGO and smallholder farmer discussions during the recent CGIAR meeting in South Africa. Some 30 representatives from east and southern African organisations contended that research efforts to date have ignored the needs of poor and marginalised farmers.

The research issues of central importance to the poor are the ones that should be addressed first. This means including a development element to the CGIAR's research agenda. In this context, the CGIAR was challenged to:

· Move towards eco-regional issues as opposed to commodity-based issues;
· Foster farmer-led research to develop low external input technology which enhances productivity;
· Undertake research on the use, conservation and promotion of agro-biodiversity and the traditions associated with it;
· Research the impact of trade and other policies on small-holder farmers and researchers;
· Study and improve soil fertility and water management in the environments in which smallholder farmers live.

NGO delegates recommended a collaborative relationship between the CGIAR and the NGO community. This seems logical since, at least in theory, they work towards the same end - poverty alleviation and improving people's livelihoods. To do this, farmer-led organisations must be given equal status with other committees and participants in CGIAR discussions. NGOs must also make themselves more knowledgeable about farmer-led research in order to be effective in feeding into the CGIAR system through the NGO Committee. Challenges for researchers include technology generation based on local knowledge integrated with relevant scientific knowledge, increased respect for local knowledge and its dynamics, and collaboration with other development actors. Research institutes must ground their work in local realities.

Although the CGIAR claims to have made considerable progress, very little has helped increase the food security of east and southern Africa, nor the cash income of the resource-poor farmers whose poverty it should help alleviate. Perhaps the most important question posed to the CGIAR and not answered during the Durban meeting was, "Who do you listen to in setting the research agenda and why?"

Source: Mutizwa Mukute, PELUM Association. PO Box MP1059, Mt Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe. Tel: (263-4) 744117/744237/744509, Fax: (263-4) 744470, E-mail: [email protected]