Linking International Agricultural Research Knowledge with Action for Sustainable Poverty Alleviation: What Works?

From:: Department for International Development
Published: 1 January 2008

Document Type:: Working Paper
Theme:: Agriculture
Authors:: Bezkorowajnyj, P., Tarawali, S., Romney, D., Nyangaga, J., Nkedianye, D., Kaelo, D., Said, M., Kristjanson, P., Randolph, T., Grace, D., Reid, R., Dickson, N., Clark, W., Vishnubhotla, P., Makui, O., Okwi, P., Puskur, R., MacMillan, S., Affognon, H.

Abstract

This paper asks ‘What kinds of approaches and institutions, under what sorts of conditions, are most effective for harnessing scientific knowledge in support of strategies for environmentally sustainable development and poverty alleviation?’ In applying an innovative conceptual framework to a diverse set of sustainable poverty-focused projects undertaken in numerous African and Asian countries, we found that strategies key to closing gaps between knowledge and action include: combining different kinds of knowledge, learning and bridging approaches, strong and diverse partnerships that level the playing field, and building capacity to innovate and communicate.

Citation