Prepared By Aboubakar Iyabano, AgTraIn PhD candidate, 16 December 2014, Wageningen University, The Netherlands The role of Farmers Organisations in promoting agroecoligical innovations : cases studies from Burkina Faso

Plan 1.Problem definition 2.Research objective 3.Research questions 4.Methods

Problem definition Smallholder agricultural development in developing countries faces challenges and constraints related to persistent food insecurity, food price volatility; food safety, climate change and sustainability concerns (World Bank, 2007; The Montpellier Pannel, 2013). Radical measures and new paradigms are urgently needed to tackle these challenges, one such paradigm is ecological intensification.

Problem definition The term ecological intensification can be described as a way to increase agricultural productivity while simultaneously protecting the natural resource base (Cassman, 1999). Current models of ecological intensification include organic and bio-diverse farming, restorative agriculture and agroecology (Tittonell, 2014).

Problem definition What is agroecology? Figure : Diversity of current types of meanings of agroecology (Source: Wezel et al., 2009).

Problem definition Successful scaling-up relies heavily on enhancing human capital and empowering communities through training and participatory methods that take into account the peasants’ needs (Casasbuenas et al., 2014). Highly organized farmers organisations are extremely important in this regard (McKay, 2012). Farmer organizations (FOs) have been found to link different actors and bring synergy to agricultural innovation efforts (World Bank, 2006; Klerkx et al., 2009), combining innovation intermediation with other kinds of services, like input supply and collective marketing (Wennink and Heemskerk, 2006).

Problem definition FOs have become central partners for governments, non-governmental organizations, and bilateral donors engaged in rural development in many developing countries. In depth knowledge in the role of FOs in promoting agroecological transition in Burkina Faso and their role as intermediary is however lacking.

Research objective The purpose of this study is to portray and analyze the FOs in Burkina Faso as a transition intermediary (advisory services, technical support, lobbying role and/or multiple functions), that can potentially create/reproduce agroecological practices. In order to reach this objective, the following research questions are formulated:

Research questions a) What are the FOs involved in agroecological transition? What does “agroecological practices” really mean for them and their members? How did the agroecological transition start and what were the main factors behind it? b) How do FOs fulfill their intermediary role in the transition process? What is their role in the agroecological transition and what are their strategies? What is their role in the promotion and legitimization of innovative farmers?

Research questions What are their strengths and weaknesses in the transition process? c) How do FOs mediate between farmers and the broader innovation system while conducting innovation supporting activities for farmers? Who are the other actors involved in the intermediary role in the country? How do they (other actors) interact with these FOs and what is the potential impact of this interaction?

Methods Qualitative case study : Case study method will help to describe the evolving FOs as an intermediary landscape, and subsequently deepening the understanding of how intermediaries help shape agroecological processes. Two-step process : the first stage will apply a multiple case study approach to map different FOs (exploratory study) identified as undertaking intermediary functions in the transition process. The second stage will apply a single case study of four to five FOs, providing an in depth analysis. These FOs will be purposively selected from those identified during the exploratory study. Selection criteria could include : agroecological context; products/services; internal structure and organization and type of innovation facilitated.

Methods Data collection : several methods will be used to collect data for the study, including interviews (structured and semi-structured), focus group discussions, conversational interviews, participant observation and various documents (reports, organizational records). Data analysis : The method for data analysis that will be used are content (identification of the main themes arising from the information given by the respondents), time series (to rebuild the FOs’ development processes) and critical events analysis (key events in the transitions intermediation functions).

Thank you for your Kind attention!