AgriCulture aims to increase the impact and relevance of ARD through promoting participatory innovation development recognising farmers’ knowledge and capacity to manage change and innovate through networking, knowledge and information management; capacity-strengthening – training (of trainers) and coaching; piloting new methods/approaches; documentation (particularly of case studies); managing long-term programmes and short-term advisory work. AgriCulture has been involved in several programmes and activities related to innovation systems and local knowledge systems, such as the Indigenous Soil and Water Conservation in Africa programme (1997–2001) and Capacity and Theory Building for Universities and Research Centres in Endogenous Development (CAPTURED, ongoing), which promotes indigenous knowledge and endogenous development within higher education institutions in Ghana.

Since the early 2000s, AgriCulture coordinates Prolinnova (Promoting Local Innovation in ecologically oriented agriculture and NRM) and its West African chapter, PROFEIS (Promoting Farmer Experimentation and Innovation in the Sahel). Prolinnova is a GFAR Global Partnership Programme that promotes institutionalisation of farmer-led participatory innovation (including about 100 organisations in 13 African countries, working with researchers, extension services, NGOs and farmer organisations). AgriCulture also coordinates the Farmer Access to Innovation Resources (FAIR) programme, focused on locally managed funds for farmer-led research and innovation. It has co-organised international events such as Advancing Participatory Innovation Development and the Innovation Africa Symposium, and co-edited and published books coming out of these and other conferences and workshops.

Main tasks in JOLISAA

ETC leads WP4, co-leads WP5 and provides support to WP2, WP3 and WP6.

Key staff involved

Dr Ann Waters-Bayer  (agricultural sociologist) specialises in socio-institutional aspects of research and development, particularly in approaches to participatory innovation by rural people, extensionists and scientists to increase local capacities to adapt to changing conditions. For many years, she was the network facilitator and publications coordinator in the Information Centre for Low-External-Input and Sustainable Agriculture (ILEIA). Since 2003 she is a member of the International Support Team for Prolinnova. She has (co)-edited several books on participatory approaches and innovation processes.

Nicoliene Oudwater  (agricultural sociologist) has worked on NRM and sustainable livelihoods in Africa and Asia. She has conducted and coordinated several studies highlighting the importance of local knowledge in agriculture and agro-biodiversity. While working with FAO, she co-managed the LinKS project, a regional project in Southern Africa promoting the importance of agro-biodiversity, local knowledge, gender and participatory approaches to innovation.

Coordinator

Nicoliene Oudwater,
ETC Foundation, Netherlands