multipurpose tree species research for small farms: strategies ... - part

Research mus. concentrate on these constraints
in an attempt to solve them in light of local
traditions and socioeconomic conditions.
Constraints to Effective MPTS Research
A number of factors limit effective MPTS
research on problems relevant to the needs of
small-scale farmers. Forestry traditions in most
countries can be traced back to the protection,
conservation and management of public forest
lands. This has generalry meant a strong emphasis
on the production of wood products from natural
forests or industrial plantations. These traditions
do not generally include a focus on the problems of
small-scale farmers who produce and use MPTS
for a wide range of wood and non-wood products
and services. Forest services in many parts of Asia
have made major advances in developing social
forestry programs which begin to address less
traditional forest management. However, research
on small farm production and use of MPTS
remains a low priority for most institutions,
The concept of forest research was developed in
Europe and extended from there to other parts of
the world. Many of the forest research institutions
(FRI) in the developing world were established
with the financial and technical assistance of the
institutions in Europe, North America and
Australia which still maintain links for training
scientists inforestry. Overseas training,
particularly in well known institutions, helps
scientists from developing countries to establish
their credibility and rise to high level positions
after they return. It also provides an opportunity
to learn modern research techniques.
Policies in effect in developing countries often
give priority for overseas training to scientists
specializing in advanced technologies. Studies
which relate directly to the needs of small-scale
farmers have not been emphasized. Under these
conditions, the majority of scientists receiving
training in production forestry continue such
research when they return to their country. This
work often is not focused on the needs of
small- ;tale farmers, but is related to the
technological tools and problems studied abroad.
Nor do national research priorities help to focus
much research on small farm needs. Lundgren
(1986) observed that with few exceptions, priority
lists have been developed neither rom asystematic
analysis of development problems, nor from an
evaluation of capabilities and needs of forest
research institutions. Lists of research priorities or
priority species tend to reflect the professional
121
background and research interests of those who
develop the list, rathe."than an analysis of
small-scale farmers' needs.
The forestry research planning process often
tends to overlook small farm needs. Bengston et
al. (1988) describe three stages in the research
planning process at forest research institutions:
evaluating past performance, assessing future
needs and designing the program to achieve the
objectives. Small-scale farmers are seldom
identified as major clients of forestry research
during the needs assessment of most forestry
research institutions. This is to be expected
given the broad mandate of these institutions.
Methods for Orienting MPTS Research
to Small Farm Needs
Effective MPTS research to meet the needs
of small-scale farmers requires organizations
which are capable of effective research on sma'I
farm pr,;bl,:.ms. Bengston et at. (1988)
attempted to defne the research capability of a
research institution as the ability to enerate
and adopt technologies. They identified 24
factors which influence research capability of
which training, the stability of funding, political
support, information services and coordination
among researchers were considered more
important than the interaction with users and
social attitudes. Several indicators used by
others to es'imate the research capacity of
institutions include the interaction between
scientists, educational instituticais and users,
staff evaluation and incentives, and resources
and support staff made available to the
scientists.
Yet omitted from this definition was a critical
component of research capability -- researcher
motivation. While adequate facilities,
equipment and operating funds are
prerequisites for effective MPTS research, the
most often overlooked resources for effective
research are human rather than material. There
are many examples of the presence of adequate
infrastructure for useful resech without much
effective research taking place. There are also
good examples of high-quality MPTS research
carried out by highly-motivated individuals with
limited facilities.
A number of strategies and methods can be
employed to increase professional incentives
and the personal motivation of MPTS
researchers to work on small-scale farm
problems. Most of the approach, ;which follow