http://www.search4dev.nlOnline library for Dutch development cooperationenwww.kit.nldpcmedewerkers-uba@uva.nldpcmedewerkers-uba@uva.nlFri, 24 May 2013 23:10:51 CEST/d/dprn/graphics/bbhead.gifhttp://www.search4dev.nlhttp://www.search4dev.nl/record/423483http://www.search4dev.nl/record/423483The interdisciplinary research project “Economic and Ecological Restructuring of Land and Water in the Region Khorezm (Uzbekistan) : A Pilot Project in Development Research”, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and implemented by the Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, Germany, in collaboration with the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), undertook to develop and put into practice a participatory approach to innovation development adapted to the realities of Uzbekistan. As this approach consists of a series of logical steps to systematically bring relevant stakeholders and endusers into the innovation process and to further develop the innovation at hand in a collaborative way, the research team coined it the “Follow-the-Innovation (FTI)” approach. These guidelines bring together the main lessons learnt with regard to the design and implementation of FTI in the post-Soviet setting of rural Uzbekistan. They are meant to inspire researchers involved in finding appropriate innovations for agricultural development in and around Uzbekistan as well as other governmental and non-governmental organisations involved in promoting innovative agricultural practices within the region.M. Ul-HassanA.-K. HornidgeL. van VeldhuizenA. AkramkhanovI. RudenkoN. Djanibekovhttp://www.search4dev.nl/record/423475http://www.search4dev.nl/record/423475This policy brief from Prolinnova reports on the organisation’s investigative work on how poor rural communities develop innovations that enables a stronger resilience to changes in climates patterns. This brief focuses on community-based adaptation to climate change, and the means needed to recognize and document local innovation. A number of example from the field help illustrate Prolinnova’s research (2008 – 2011) into the innovation and creativity processes appearing in local communities that face uncertainty and hardship due to climate-related environmental change.Prolinnova International Secretariathttp://www.search4dev.nl/record/423472http://www.search4dev.nl/record/423472The challenges of feeding the world and ensuring sustainable livelihoods for small-scale farmers remain greater today than ever before. Much can be gained if project-focused collaboration is complemented by structured, well-facilitated partnership at the organisational level. These allow organisations to join hands in setting strategic directions and identifying complementarities at an early stage. Such platforms help build mutual trust and, if they function well, form a powerful alliance to promote the joint agenda.Prolinnova International Secretariathttp://www.search4dev.nl/record/423471http://www.search4dev.nl/record/423471Small-scale farmers worldwide are persistent innovators, in their efforts to adapt to changing conditions and to survive. Many scientists and development workers – in their zeal to instruct farmers – overlook this local creativity and source of energy for change. One way to tap this energy is to identify innovations developed by farmers and then explore them jointly: farmers, formal researchers and development agents. In this way, local and scientific knowledge can be blended to develop locally appropriate solutions. This approach, referred to here as “farmer-led joint research”, is being used by several organisations working with smallholders in various countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.Prolinnova International Secretariathttp://www.search4dev.nl/record/416886http://www.search4dev.nl/record/416886This book presents new insights about knowledge of rural people. In many societies good harvests and good health can only be obtained if the laws of nature, regulations of the community and rules set by the spiritual beings are properly followed. This book hopes to stimulate development agencies to take indigenous knowledge seriously. Based on the experiences and insights of some 15 organisation in ten countries, it goes beyond the technical knowledge embodied in traditional farming, land use and health practices. The book deals with ancient worldviews or cosmovisions and the role of traditional leaders. It draws conclusions about the holistic nature, strengths and also limitations of this knowledge and describes how in various countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe some development agencies are supporting rural people in carrying out practical experiments based on local concepts. A framework for such on-farm experiments and ideas for a methodology for supporting endogenous development are presented.COMPAShttp://www.search4dev.nl/record/416885http://www.search4dev.nl/record/416885The present global problems of poverty, ecological destruction and loss of cultural diversity call for innovative solutions. Experiences indicate that the cultural identity and initiatives of local people can provide important keys to sustainable rural development. This book describes the processes whereby the present-day diversity of knowledges and cultures has emerged. It presents a number of field experiences of endogenous development, or development from within, in sub-saharan Africa, Asia, South America and Europe. By building on local needs and resources, innovative methodologies have been developed to understand and experiment with indigenous practices, and to find synergy with modern knowledge systems. The activities include identifying development niches, retaining benefits within local areas, maximising local control, and making selective use of external resources.B. Haverkort (edt)K. van 't Hooft (edt)W. Hiemstra (edt)http://www.search4dev.nl/record/416884http://www.search4dev.nl/record/416884This book presents the outcome of a European conference on Moving Worldviews, 28-20 November 2005, Soesterberg, the Netherlands. The conference searched for answers to the polycrisis that the globe faces in terms of ecology, social conflicts and security. Questions addressed at the conference include: What is the relation between the polycrisis and the dominant worldview in the West? What new insights have emerged that might lead to worldviews with greater potential to deal with the polycrisis? What new insights are emerging from innovative research, learning and rural development? Can inter-cultural and inter-scientific dialogue contribute to changing the worldviews of the West? What are effective transition strategies in research, rural development, education and international cooperation? The workshop concluded that the Western worldview is indeed directly related to the polycrisis. Its mechanistic and dualistic view of the world is at odds with new insights from quantum physics and transdisciplinarity and with more holistic worldviews from other contemporary cultures. Conventional and mainstream methods of research and systems of governance could derive great benefit from these insights and the lessons of social learning.B. Haverkort (edt)C. Reijntjes (edt)http://www.search4dev.nl/record/416882http://www.search4dev.nl/record/416882This book is a compilation of the proceedings of the Compas Asian Regional Workshop on Traditional Knowledge held at Bangalore in July 2006. The papers presented by the experts from different NGOs and Academic and Research Institutions on topics such as Agronomy, Livestock and Veterinary Sciences, Traditional Methods of Weather Forecasting and Traditional Healthcare Methods have been compiled in this volume.A.V. Balasubramanian (edt)T.D. Nirmala Devi (edt)http://www.search4dev.nl/record/416880http://www.search4dev.nl/record/416880Traditional Agriculture has generally been considered everywhere as a joint effort between humans and cattle. More than any other part of the world in India there is a deep link between farmer and his cattle. This is not merely an act of convenience that the cattle provides the draught power and certain inputs that are important in composting, pest control and crop protection (cattle dung, urine, etc.) but the partnership is much deeper with socio-cultural and spiritual dimensions. Inspite of the fact that tractors, tillers and mechanical implements have slowly started making inroads, cattle still remains central to traditional agriculture in India. In recent years there has been a great deal of interest, experiments and innovations on the use of animal products in traditional agriculture. Interestingly lots more has happened in the informal sector involving individual farmers, farming groups and community based organizations than in the formal research centres and the University. Under these circumstances the COMPAS partners decided to launch a coordinated pilot project on the theme of the role of animal products in traditional agriculture. This report summarizes the project.A.V. Balasubramanian (edt)T.D. Nirmala Devi (edt)M. Merlin Franco (edt)http://www.search4dev.nl/record/416877http://www.search4dev.nl/record/416877This book presents the outcome of an African conference on the ways of knowing in Sub-Saharan Africa. The purpose for this conference was to gather experiences and positions from traditional people, scholars, and practitioners on African traditional practices and knowledges, in order to understand, develop, and consolidate African Sciences. The Conference was to provide a platform for enhancement of the ‘scientification of the African knowledges’ and in so doing raise interest and challenge actions for its revitalisation. Papers were presented by authors from various backgrounds and included university professors, development workers, social critics, religious practitioners and African traditionalists. The papers were discussed and illuminate the unique ways that Africans generate and share knowledge. The papers covered three main themes: Reconstructing and revitalising traditional systems of knowing in Africa; Reorienting ways of research, teaching and learning; and Reformulation of policies. This book summarises the discussions on these themes and the activities to be undertaken to take them forward.D. Millar (edt)S.B. Kendie (edt)A.A. Apusigah (edt)B. Haverkort (edt)