Opening Cracks for the Transgression of Social Boundaries: An Evaluation of the Gender Impacts of Farmer Research Teams in Honduras
Based on:
Journal Article (2012)
Assessment of the gender impacts of farmer research teams in Honduras.
Brief by:
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Research collaborators:
The research sought to evaluate the impact of local agricultural research teams in Honduras. These are known by the Spanish acronym: CIALs. Since funded projects typically attract more powerful community members, while excluding the most marginalised, we were anxious to assess how the impacts of the CIALs were distributed. This research focuses on the gender impacts.
Key findings
While at the outset, most CIALs were made up mainly of men, over time they became increasingly mixed gender research teams as both men and women sought to find local solutions to food insecurity.
They also became vehicles for the empowerment of marginalised members of rural communities as their members developed research skills and new knowledge.
This was particularly true of women who hitherto rarely voiced opinions on agricultural matters which were considered the domain of men.
Proposed action
The local NGO utilizing the CIAL approach must embrace agricultural research and have a strong interest in supporting local people in acquiring research skills
A reliable source of funds to support the local NGO over a number of years
Collaboration between the formal scientific sector and the CIALs, mediated by the local NGO, has been very important in the development of new seeds (through participatory plant breeding) and other agricultural technology that meet the food security needs of marginalised rural people
Constant evaluation of the program
CIALs can be found in various countries in Latin America
Helpful resources
Website: Honduran NGO - FIPAH [Access resource]
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Acknowledgements
Thank you to iDE Global
These insights were made available thanks to the support of iDE Global, who are committed to the dissemination of knowledge for all.
Special thanks to Jasmyn Spanswick for preparation assistance
We would like to extend a special thank you to Jasmyn Spanswick, for their invaluable contribution in assisting the preparation of this research summary.
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Opening Cracks for the Transgression of Social Boundaries: An Evaluation of the Gender Impacts of Farmer Research Teams in Honduras
Cite this brief: Humphries, Sally. 'Opening Cracks for the Transgression of Social Boundaries: An Evaluation of the Gender Impacts of Farmer Research Teams in Honduras'. Acume. https://www.acume.org/r/opening-cracks-for-the-transgression-of-social-boundaries-an-evaluation-of-the-gender-impacts-of-farmer-research-teams-in-honduras/
Brief created by: Professor Sally Humphries | Year brief made: 2022
Original research:
- L. C., Humphries, S., & et al., ‘Opening Cracks for the Transgression of Social Boundaries: An Evaluation of the Gender Impacts of Farmer Research Teams in Honduras’ 40(10) (pp. 2078–2095) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2012.05.008. – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0305750X12001180
Research brief:
Assessment of the gender impacts of farmer research teams in Honduras.
The research sought to evaluate the impact of local agricultural research teams in Honduras. These are known by the Spanish acronym: CIALs. Since funded projects typically attract more powerful community members, while excluding the most marginalised, we were anxious to assess how the impacts of the CIALs were distributed. This research focuses on the gender impacts.
Findings:
While at the outset, most CIALs were made up mainly of men, over time they became increasingly mixed gender research teams as both men and women sought to find local solutions to food insecurity.
They also became vehicles for the empowerment of marginalised members of rural communities as their members developed research skills and new knowledge.
This was particularly true of women who hitherto rarely voiced opinions on agricultural matters which were considered the domain of men.
Advice:
The local NGO utilizing the CIAL approach must embrace agricultural research and have a strong interest in supporting local people in acquiring research skills
- This requires living close to the sites of local research, not in towns or cities.
A reliable source of funds to support the local NGO over a number of years
Collaboration between the formal scientific sector and the CIALs, mediated by the local NGO, has been very important in the development of new seeds (through participatory plant breeding) and other agricultural technology that meet the food security needs of marginalised rural people
Constant evaluation of the program
CIALs can be found in various countries in Latin America
- They have been successful where there has been continuous support through a local NGO. When the concept was originally developed at the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), it was assumed that once farmers knew how to run their own trials, they would get on with research on their own. Having local support and national support through the formal research sector, as well as policies in place to allow for the sale of farmer-bred seed, etc. are all required to make the CIALs successful.