We
will convey information
on land-use options
to farming communities,
policy makers at various
levels, and other
key decision-makers.
A
participatory, client-driven
approach and multidisciplinary
collaboration are
distinctive features
of this research effort
that enhance prospects
for impact on institutional
development and policy
reform. From the inception
of this project, ASB
research priorities
have been driven by
the needs of two broad
groups of clients:
smallholders living
at the forest margins
and policy makers
who influence the
range of choices available
to these smallholders.
Just as participatory
methods are used in
ASB research to understand
smallholders' objectives
and constraints, ongoing
consultation with
policy makers also
is a hallmark of this
client-driven approach
to policy research.
The focus of consultation
is to obtain crucial
insights from the
main stakeholders
about their perceptions
of problems, opportunities
and constraints, including
institutional mechanisms
for policy implementation,
in order to guide
the iterative process
of research to identify
and develop feasible
policy options. This
collaborative venture
involves researchers
drawn from multi-institutional
ASB research consortia
including government
research agencies,
universities and NGOs.
