Monday 25 October 2010

Democratising agricultural research for food sovereignty in West Africa

Democratising agricultural research for food sovereignty in West Africa
Michel Pimbert, Boukary Barry, Anne Berson, Khanh Tran-Thanh http://www.iied.org/pubs/pdfs/14603IIED.pdf
Published: Oct 2010 - IIED, CNOP, IRPAD, Kene Conseils, Centre Djoliba, URTEL
Language: English

This multimedia publication is available online only. A hardcopy version will be printed in early 2011.
This multimedia book reports on an initiative in West Africa that seeks to create safe spaces in which food providers and consumers can discuss how to build an agri-food research system that is democratic and accountable to wider society. An explicit aim of the entire process is to strengthen the voices and effectiveness of small-scale producers and other citizens in the governance of agricultural research as well as in setting strategic research priorities and validating knowledge. 

The book combines text, photos, video and audio recordings to describe the methodologies used in processes of deliberation and inclusion that involved small scale producers (farmers, pastoralists, fishermen and food processors) and holders of specialist knowledge on agricultural research. The policy recommendations that emerged out of two citizens’ juries and farmer led assessments of agricultural research are presented here along with some critical reflections on the process so far. The outcomes of these citizen deliberations have significant implications for current debates on the future of food and farming in West Africa.

Related:
Democratising agricultural research: 
An initiative that questions the often narrow interests of agricultural research. Focussing on four regions aiming to make the voices of small scale producers and other excluded citizens heard — and count — in the governance and process of agricultural research.


Making excluded voices count in food 
and agricultural policy making

THE JURY Farmers' reflections on the process and on their role as jury members

Origins and design of the citizens' jury process - a brief history

The work of the facilitators during the citizens' juries

A member of the independent oversight panel assesses the process - Blandine Sankara, Burkina Faso

The role of the press and other media in West Africa - before, during and after the citizens' juries

See a number of videos : 

http://iied.blip.tv/posts?view=archive&nsfw=dc

01. Dr Samba Traoré, Director, Cinzana Research Station, Mali