The challenge of HIV/AIDS: Where does agroforestry fit in? - World ...

Keywords:Capacity building, agroforestry, postgraduate research,gender, partnershipsChapter 18Building capacity for research in agroforestryJemimah Njuki, International Center for Tropical Agriculture; Issiaka Zoungrana, International Plant GeneticResources Institute; August Temu and Janet Awimbo, World Agroforestry CentreAbstractThis chapter discusses the key components of capacity building and the mechanisms that have beenused to develop research capacity in agroforestry. These include building new expertise, developinginstitutions, forming networks, involving stakeholders and strengthening the links between institutionsthat have an interest in agroforestry research (including those in the North and the South, and thosewith national and international mandates). We discuss the efforts of the World Agroforestry Centre tobuild research capacity, including training at postgraduate level, postgraduate research, review of curriculato include agroforestry and networking between institutions. We also cover the recommendationsof a 1982 conference on professional education in agroforestry and the extent to which these havebeen implemented, and present the results of the Centre’s graduate training programme. Finally, we outlinethe challenges to building capacity for agroforestry research, along with some suggested strategiesand new opportunities.IntroductionCapacity building: definitions and componentsCapacity building is the structured process by whichindividuals, groups, organizations, institutions and societiesincrease their abilities to perform core functions,solve problems and define and achieve objectives, inorder to understand and deal with their developmentneeds in a broad context and in a sustainable manner.Temu and Garrity (2003) suggest that institutions withthe right capacity have a good policy environment,good strategies, control capital and financial resourcesand have the needed expertise to successfully mobilizetheir capacity.Szaro et al. (1997) define capacity building as enablingthe indigenous peoples of developing countries to carryout development processes successfully by empower-ing them through strengthening of domestic institutions,provision of domestic markets and improvementof local government efforts to sustain infrastructures,social institutions and commercial institutions.An effective research capacity building strategy aimsto build scientific, technological and managerialabilities and capacities at the individual, institutionaland organizational levels. To be successful, it shouldemphasize mechanisms that bring about a qualitativeimprovement in the way research is planned and implemented,and in the way results are disseminated.In order to facilitate the transfer and adoption ofknowledge generated, it is essential that capacitybuilding efforts involve all stakeholders in the researchprocess (including identification of issues, prioritisation,definition of research themes, activity monitoring