Organisation aiming to improve the management and conservation of major agroecosystems through the development and use of participatory approaches, analytical tools, indigenous knowledge, and organisational principles that enhance the well-being of rural communities.

Mains aims of project are to:

• conduct pilot projects to develop or adapt participatory approaches for specific research themes or geographical areas
• replicate or scale up participatory approaches through training and workshops conducted in close collaboration with national and local organisations
• assess the impact of participatory approaches and disseminate the results

Organisation is working to promote the spread of CIALs (Comités de Investigación Agrícola Local) - local agricultural research committees, and other participatory approaches, including participatory plant breeding methods, community watershed management associations, and participatory techniques for agroenterprise development and integrated pest management (IPM).

Web site includes: details of research themes, links to related full-text online documents, directory of CIALs, calendar of CIAL training sessions.

Web site also available in Spanish