Institutionalising client-oriented participatory agricultural research through regional competitive agricultural technology funds

Abstract

The strengthening and adoption of farmer participatory research methodologies often pose institutional issues and constraints for the various actors and organisations involved. The Uganda National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) is committed to improving the effectiveness oftechnology development and dissemination through increased stakeholder participation in all stages of the research and dissemination process. One of the ways in which NARO is attempting to address institutional constraints to strengthening farmer participatory research is through regional competitive agricultural technology funds, which are being piloted in east and northern Uganda. Application and screening procedures are briefly described, and the applications received in the first two rounds are analysed in terms of partnerships, resources and agricultural themes. The approach appears to be reasonably effective in strengthening stakeholder participation and linkages, and in mobilising skills and resources for participatory research and dissemination. Future challenges include increasing the number of high quality projects submitted by civil society and local government organisations, ensuring meaningful farmer participation, strengthening partnerships and securing sustainable funding.