Researching with Farmers
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RESEARCHING WITH FARMERS A study of KARI participatory research practices in context Promotor: Prof. Dr. P. Richards Hoogleraar in Technologie en Agrarische Ontwikkeling Wageningen Universiteit Co-promotor: Dr. Regina Karega Senior Lecturer Kenyatta University, Kenya Dr. P. G. M. Hebinck Universitair hoofddocent, Leerstoelgroep Rurale Ontwikkelingssociologie Wageningen Universiteit Dr. Ir. C.J.M. Almekinders Universitair docent, Leerstoelgroep Technologie en Agrarische Ontwikkeling Wageningen Universiteit Promotiecommissie: Prof. Dr. C. J. Garforth, Reading University, UK Prof. Dr. Ir. J.H.C. Wiskerke, Wageningen Universiteit Prof. Dr. L. Vincent, Wageningen Universiteit Prof. Dr. Ir. E. Smaling,Wageningen Universiteit Dit onderzoek is uitgevoerd binnen de CERES Research School for Resource Studies for Development RESEARCHING WITH FARMERS A study of KARI participatory research practices in context Geoffrey Kamau Proefschrift Ter verkrijging van de graad van doctor Op gezag van de rector magnificus van Wageningen Universiteit, Prof. Dr. M. J. Kropff in het openbaar te verdedigen op woensdag 25 oktober 2007 des morgens om 11.00 uur in de Aula Kamau, G. (2007) Researching with farmers. A study of KARI participatory research practices in context ISBN: 978-90-8504-760-5 TABLE OF CONTENT ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS...........................................................................vii CHAPTER 1 ................................................................................................................................. 1 RESEARCHING RESEARCH: BACKGROUND AND DEFINITION OF ISSUES ..................................... 1 1. The context ....................................................................................................................... 1 2. The research issue.......................................................................................................... 13 3. Definition of concepts................................................................................................... 17 4. Research questions ........................................................................................................ 29 5. Discussion and conclusion........................................................................................... 33 6. Structure of the thesis ................................................................................................... 34 CHAPTER 2 ............................................................................................................................... 37 CONTINUITIES AND DISCONTINUITIES IN KENYAN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND EXTENSION: A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE ................................................................................. 37 1. Introduction.................................................................................................................... 37 2. Department of agriculture and research.................................................................... 44 3. The Swynnerton plan and local farmers (1953 -63).................................................. 48 4. Discussion....................................................................................................................... 57 5. Conclusion...................................................................................................................... 63 CHAPTER 3 ............................................................................................................................... 67 HOW THE INSTITUTION WORKS: ETHNOGRAPHIC VIGNETTES OF KARI ACTIVITY................... 67 1. Introduction.................................................................................................................... 67 2. The organisation of the research institue................................................................... 68 3. Mandate and objectives................................................................................................ 69 4. Research programmes and projects............................................................................ 72 5. Interactions at KARI head office ................................................................................. 75 6. Interactions during KARI events ................................................................................ 85 7. Interactions at research centre level............................................................................ 88 8. Conclusion...................................................................................................................... 93 CHAPTER 4 ............................................................................................................................... 97 THE INSTITUTIONAL SHAPING OF RESEARCH PROJECTS: FROM PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS TO OUT- SCALING ................................................................................................................................... 97 1. Introduction.................................................................................................................... 97 2. Context............................................................................................................................ 97 3. Research process.......................................................................................................... 104 4. Other Interactions........................................................................................................ 122 5. Discussion..................................................................................................................... 125 6. Conclusions .................................................................................................................. 127 CHAPTER 5 ............................................................................................................................. 131 RESEARCH SCIENTIST AND FARMER GROUP INTERACTIONS .................................................. 131 1. Introduction.................................................................................................................. 131 2. What is a group? A definition ................................................................................... 131 3. KARI research scientists and their interaction with farmer groups .................... 133 4. Self-organised farmer technology groups ............................................................... 147 5. Discussion on khat ....................................................................................................... 170 6. Conclusion.................................................................................................................... 171 7. Annex ............................................................................................................................ 173 CHAPTER 6 ............................................................................................................................. 175 FARMER-INTERMEDIARY INTERACTIONS AND FUNCTION GROUPS....................................... 175 1. Introduction.................................................................................................................. 175 2. Case 1: Macadamia production and marketing by smallholder farmers............ 176 3. Case 2: The case of Effective Micro-organisms (EM) for composting ................. 183 4. Case 3: School groups and their potential role in participation research ........... 188 5. Conclusions from the three cases.............................................................................. 202 CHAPTER 7 ............................................................................................................................. 207 CONCLUSIONS: MAKING HOLES IN THE FENCES AND OPENING THE GATES? ...................... 207 1. Introduction.................................................................................................................. 207 2. KARI history: continuity and discontinuity............................................................ 207 3. Institutional project procedures ................................................................................ 211 4. Adding to the duality: multiple roles....................................................................... 212 5. The farmer system: no gates or fences ..................................................................... 213 6. Conclusion.................................................................................................................... 216 7. The way forward and issues for further research .................................................. 219 REFERENCES ...................................................................................................................... 221 SUMMARY........................................................................................................................... 237 SAMENVATTING .............................................................................................................. 243 Curriculum Vitae................................................................................................................. 249 Completed Training and Supervision Plan ..................................................................... 251 vii ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS AA Administrative Assistant AD Assistant Director AEZ Agro ecological Zone AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome ANT Actor Network Theory AOB Any Other Business ASAL Arid and Semi Arid Lands ASK Agricultural Society of Kenya ATIRI