Description

This paper presents a detailed framework for connecting people and turning innovation into the implementation of conservation agriculture (CA) at the smallholder level through the use of networks, participatory processes, and data collection. With the use of adaptive management, we can effectively work together with actors in a technology network and begin to develop sustainable solutions to address the food security problem. To allow for adaptive management and the extension of knowledge networks, we need to map social relations to improve networks and spread conservation agriculture techniques.

It is also very important to consider women and the gendered knowledge they contribute in order to fully grasp the dynamics and flow of the resource network. It is necessary to understand the behaviors, shared perceptions, and beliefs that smallholders have because this is a crucial part of implementing successful CA techniques through adaptive management.

This paper offers hypothesis testing for comparison within and across research regions, and also hypotheses for the effect of network connection increases on the adoption levels of CA technology. Also given are examples of qualitative and quantitative methods, and an itinerary for focus groups. These methods should be carried out in each of the Long Term Research Award activities (LTRAs) as a part of the cross-cutting activities in the SANREM CRSP (Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management Collaborate Research Support Program).