Contending with complexity: The role of evaluation in implementing sustainable natural resource management

Three case studies show that natural resource management (NRM) research aimed at sustainably improving the well-being of African small-holder farmers is complex, and that monitoring and evaluation (M&E) is an essential tool in coping with this complexity, supported by an ‘innovation systems’ view of...

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Main Authors: Douthwaite, Boru, Delve, Robert J., Ekboir, Javier M., Twomlow, Stephen
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: 2003
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/43303
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author Douthwaite, Boru
Delve, Robert J.
Ekboir, Javier M.
Twomlow, Stephen
author_browse Delve, Robert J.
Douthwaite, Boru
Ekboir, Javier M.
Twomlow, Stephen
author_facet Douthwaite, Boru
Delve, Robert J.
Ekboir, Javier M.
Twomlow, Stephen
author_sort Douthwaite, Boru
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Three case studies show that natural resource management (NRM) research aimed at sustainably improving the well-being of African small-holder farmers is complex, and that monitoring and evaluation (M&E) is an essential tool in coping with this complexity, supported by an ‘innovation systems’ view of the adoption process. In the case studies, researchers adjusted their activities and outputs on the basis of learning from M&E. Many of the insights came through identifying farmer innovations, which also proved a source of improvements to the respective technologies. Together, better understanding and iterative improvements made eventual widespread impact more likely. Farmers also learnt from M&E exercises and this learning facilitated adoption. The understanding of the early adoption process provided by M&E can provide a foundation for more plausible impact assessment.
format Journal Article
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institution CGIAR Consortium
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publishDate 2003
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spelling CGSpace433032025-11-12T05:56:19Z Contending with complexity: The role of evaluation in implementing sustainable natural resource management Douthwaite, Boru Delve, Robert J. Ekboir, Javier M. Twomlow, Stephen natural resources resource management environmental impact assessment innovation technology transfer case studies small farms recursos naturales manejo de los recursos evaluación del impacto ambiental innovación transferencia de tecnología estudios de casos prácticos explotación en pequeña escala Three case studies show that natural resource management (NRM) research aimed at sustainably improving the well-being of African small-holder farmers is complex, and that monitoring and evaluation (M&E) is an essential tool in coping with this complexity, supported by an ‘innovation systems’ view of the adoption process. In the case studies, researchers adjusted their activities and outputs on the basis of learning from M&E. Many of the insights came through identifying farmer innovations, which also proved a source of improvements to the respective technologies. Together, better understanding and iterative improvements made eventual widespread impact more likely. Farmers also learnt from M&E exercises and this learning facilitated adoption. The understanding of the early adoption process provided by M&E can provide a foundation for more plausible impact assessment. 2003 2014-09-24T08:41:55Z 2014-09-24T08:41:55Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/43303 en Open Access application/pdf
spellingShingle natural resources
resource management
environmental impact assessment
innovation
technology transfer
case studies
small farms
recursos naturales
manejo de los recursos
evaluación del impacto ambiental
innovación
transferencia de tecnología
estudios de casos prácticos
explotación en pequeña escala
Douthwaite, Boru
Delve, Robert J.
Ekboir, Javier M.
Twomlow, Stephen
Contending with complexity: The role of evaluation in implementing sustainable natural resource management
title Contending with complexity: The role of evaluation in implementing sustainable natural resource management
title_full Contending with complexity: The role of evaluation in implementing sustainable natural resource management
title_fullStr Contending with complexity: The role of evaluation in implementing sustainable natural resource management
title_full_unstemmed Contending with complexity: The role of evaluation in implementing sustainable natural resource management
title_short Contending with complexity: The role of evaluation in implementing sustainable natural resource management
title_sort contending with complexity the role of evaluation in implementing sustainable natural resource management
topic natural resources
resource management
environmental impact assessment
innovation
technology transfer
case studies
small farms
recursos naturales
manejo de los recursos
evaluación del impacto ambiental
innovación
transferencia de tecnología
estudios de casos prácticos
explotación en pequeña escala
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/43303
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