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Evolution of social science research at ICRISAT, and a case study in Zimbabwe

OAR@ICRISAT

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Relation http://oar.icrisat.org/2841/
 
Title Evolution of social science research at ICRISAT, and a case study in Zimbabwe
 
Creator Alumira, J D
Bantilan, M C S
Moyo, T S
 
Subject Agriculture-Farming, Production, Technology, Economics
 
Description Social science research (SSR) at ICRISAT evolved in the context of its socio-economics program,
covering agricultural economics, science and technology policy, rural sociology, and anthropology
(Byerlee 2001). These disciplines play complementary roles in obtaining a basic understanding of the
rural economy in the semi-arid tropics (SAT), identifying priorities for research, informing policy,
monitoring research impacts and helping to direct investments by ICRISAT’s partners. The first part of
this paper analyzes the evolution of SSR in ICRISAT. The second part is a recent case study on
livelihood diversification behavior among smallholder farm communities in Zimbabwe. It illustrates
how SSR contributes to livelihood analysis, targeting of research and development, and informing
policy.
The structure and content of SSR at ICRISAT has been shaped by the Institute’s overall research
strategies over time. Before 1996, ICRISAT’s major emphasis was on increasing production and food
security through new technologies and new uses for our mandate crops. The strategy focused on more
efficient use of small quantities of inputs and their timely application to enrich nutrient-poor soils. In
the latter half of the 1990s, there was renewed effort on problem-based, impact-driven science and
delivery of outputs.
By 1997, the Institute’s strategy aimed to identify alternative uses of the natural resource base that
could help reduce poverty, promote food security, and prevent environmental degradation. In line with
these changes, socio-economics research focused on analysis of the potential of agriculture in the semiarid
tropics, alternative investment strategies, input and output markets, and policy. In accordance with
the CGIAR’s vision of a food-secure world by 2010, ICRISAT’s vision today is to improve the wellbeing
of the SAT poor through agricultural research for impact. The Institute has a mandate to enhance
the livelihoods of the poor in semi-arid farming systems through integrated management of genetic and
natural resources (ICRISAT 1980–2003).
 
Publisher International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
 
Date 2007
 
Type Article
PeerReviewed
 
Format application/pdf
 
Language en
 
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Identifier http://oar.icrisat.org/2841/1/Evolution_of_Social_Science_Research.pdf
Alumira, J D and Bantilan, M C S and Moyo, T S (2007) Evolution of social science research at ICRISAT, and a case study in Zimbabwe. Journal of SAT Agricultural Research (20). pp. 3-19. ISSN 0973-3094