Bellon, Mauricio

In the future, more food will be needed to feed a growing world population. High-yielding crop varieties will play a key role in meeting this challenge. This article draws on research undertaken by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center in La Frailesca in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas. Both agricultural and social processes […]

This study assessed the extent to which participatory methods had been used by CIMMYT, and how the scientists perceived them. Results suggest that participatory approaches at the Center were largely ‘functional’ – that is, aimed at improving the efficiency and relevance of research – and had in fact added value to the research efforts. The […]

This article reviews, through reference to the published literature, some key questions about participatory research. When should participatory research be used? How should participatory research be applied? What about quality of science in participatory research? Are there any institutional issues associated with the use of participatory research? And what are the benefits and costs of […]