Main-streaming participatory and cross-disciplinary approaches in animal science research in developing countries
Keywords:
Action research, agriculture, agro-forestry, animal science, cross-disciplinarity, developing countries, livestock systems, paradigms, participation, povertyAbstract
Conventional research approaches have lost considerable momentum after their astonishing achieve-ments
during the green revolution. The negative side of focusing rigorously on production improve-ment was eminent
around 1980 and led to considerations of environmental, gender and equity aspects - making agricultural
development much more complex than previously. In the search for new ways of addressing the persisting
problems of food insecurity and malnutrition, new ways should be explored. Based on the experiences from
three international, African research projects, the article argues the case of participatory action research and
cross-disciplinarity as some of the key elements in future animal science research in developing countries. The
benefits are outlined as well as the challenges for the researchers and the donor agencies.
