Comments on: Bill Gates calls for support to agricultural research for small farmers http://www.cgiar.org/consortium-news/bill-gates-calls-for-support-agricultural-research/ A Global Agricultural Research Partnership Thu, 01 Aug 2013 02:04:09 +0200 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Peter http://www.cgiar.org/consortium-news/bill-gates-calls-for-support-agricultural-research/#comment-250 Peter Tue, 28 Feb 2012 09:01:18 +0000 http://consortium.cgiar.org/?p=2559#comment-250 Hi Odette, I agree with you. I can also see that many projects within the CGIAR not only take the needs of small scale farmers into account, but also test and "roll-out" the agricultural solutions provided. More and more, the farmers are integrated into the research cycle, not only as of the "needs assessment", but throughout the process, all the way up to implementation and impact assessment. This way, their experience can be combined with the researchers' input, e.g. their knowledge of their land and traditional methods/seeds can be combined with the climate change forecasts from the researchers. Their skills can be combined with innovative irrigation systems found to be working in other areas of the world... Hi Odette,

I agree with you. I can also see that many projects within the CGIAR not only take the needs of small scale farmers into account, but also test and “roll-out” the agricultural solutions provided.

More and more, the farmers are integrated into the research cycle, not only as of the “needs assessment”, but throughout the process, all the way up to implementation and impact assessment.

This way, their experience can be combined with the researchers’ input, e.g. their knowledge of their land and traditional methods/seeds can be combined with the climate change forecasts from the researchers. Their skills can be combined with innovative irrigation systems found to be working in other areas of the world…

]]> By: Odette Reidy http://www.cgiar.org/consortium-news/bill-gates-calls-for-support-agricultural-research/#comment-249 Odette Reidy Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:54:18 +0000 http://consortium.cgiar.org/?p=2559#comment-249 I agree with Bill Gate. Today's development has overlooked small scale agricultural farms which are feeding millions and millions of people in developing countries. There is a little attention to non-commercial subsistence which many people have survived on for many years. If we don't promote small scale food producers, those well off would not escape from food insecurity. For example, if we check our supermarkets in developed countries, many fresh vegetables and other pre-processed foods are from developing countries. Without small scale agriculture which the majority of poor people are depending on in order to survive, to educate their children, to pay their health care, there is not need for million of international organizations to waste money for projects which are not benefiting everyone. I think someone among policy makers for sustainable development has to admit that their policies without full participation of those in needs, whose majority cannot survive without small scale agriculture have failed to alleviate poverty. These policies are doing more harm than good. I am aware of this because for the last 16 years I am working with grass-root beneficiaries especially women, young people and children. By listening to them I managed to provide efficient services within limited financial means. What facilitated my work in development, capacity building and empowerment was good working relationship with people I am working with and for, other national and international partners. If we have to promote agriculture, we have to step back from our expertise by profession and learn from experts by experience (small scale farmers) and figure out together what help they are looking for and what improvements they wish in their current practices. This way, when we leave them, they would be able to sustain their agricultural activities and take control over their own social change. I agree with Bill Gate. Today’s development has overlooked small scale agricultural farms which are feeding millions and millions of people in developing countries. There is a little attention to non-commercial subsistence which many people have survived on for many years. If we don’t promote small scale food producers, those well off would not escape from food insecurity. For example, if we check our supermarkets in developed countries, many fresh vegetables and other pre-processed foods are from developing countries. Without small scale agriculture which the majority of poor people are depending on in order to survive, to educate their children, to pay their health care, there is not need for million of international organizations to waste money for projects which are not benefiting everyone. I think someone among policy makers for sustainable development has to admit that their policies without full participation of those in needs, whose majority cannot survive without small scale agriculture have failed to alleviate poverty. These policies are doing more harm than good.

I am aware of this because for the last 16 years I am working with grass-root beneficiaries especially women, young people and children. By listening to them I managed to provide efficient services within limited financial means. What facilitated my work in development, capacity building and empowerment was good working relationship with people I am working with and for, other national and international partners.

If we have to promote agriculture, we have to step back from our expertise by profession and learn from experts by experience (small scale farmers) and figure out together what help they are looking for and what improvements they wish in their current practices. This way, when we leave them, they would be able to sustain their agricultural activities and take control over their own social change.

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