Integrated Natural Resource Management in the Highlands of Eastern Africa
From Concept to Practice
Edited by Laura Anne German, Jeremias Mowo, Tilahun Amede, Kenneth Masuki
Routledge – 2012 – 340 pages
This book documents a decade of research, methodological innovation, and lessons learned in an eco-regional research-for-development program operating in the eastern African highlands, the African Highlands Initiative (AHI). It does this through reflections of the protagonists themselves—AHI site teams and partners applying action research to development innovation as a means to enhance the impact of their research. The book summarizes the experiences of farmers, research and development workers and policy and decision-makers who have interacted within an innovation system with the common goal of implementing an integrated approach to natural resource management (NRM) in the humid highlands.
This book demonstrates the crucial importance of "approach" in shaping the outcomes of research and development, and distils lessons learned on what works, where and why. It is enriched with examples and case studies from five benchmark sites in Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, whose variability provides the reader with an in-depth knowledge of the complexities of integrated NRM in agro-ecosystems that play an important role in the rural economy of the region. It is shown that the struggle to achieve sustainable agricultural development in challenging environments is a complex one, and can only be effectively achieved through combined efforts and commitment of individuals and institutions with complementary roles.
"This book describes a compelling success story of an ambitious programme with an inspiring narrative." - Simon Carter, Director, Regional Office for Eastern and Southern Africa, International Development Research Centre (IDRC).
"Overall, the book is a huge success; it is packed full of useful methodologies and approaches supported by a solid evidence base. The 6 case study sites are used to provide examples throughout the text, providing clarity and credibility to support the theory of INRM. The authors must be commended on their decision to include numerous examples of methodologies and approaches that failed to bring about the desired results, enabling the reader to learn not only from the success of AHI, but ensuring that its failures are not repeated. The book is a wonderful synthesis of the INRM outputs from AHI, summarizing results and findings from 195 publications from the 6 case study sites." - Mountain Research and Development (2013)
"The book as a whole provides valuable insight into approaches and tools that can stimulate and enhance innovation processes in agriculture and NRM. It offers thought-provoking reading for researchers and practitioners working in agricultural innovation systems…" – Ann Waters-Bayer, Ph.D., Senior Advisor ETC Foundation, Member of the International Support Team for Prolinnova
1. Introduction Laura German, Jeremias Mowo and Chris Opondo 2. Participatory Farm-Level Innovation Tilahun Amede, Charles Lyamchai, Girma Hailu, Bekele Kassa, Leulseged Begashaw, Juma Wickama, Adugna Wakjira and Gebremedhin Woldegiorgis 3.Participatory Integrated Watershed Management Laura German, Waga Mazengia, Simon Nyangas, Joel Meliyo, Zenebe Admassu, Berhanu Bekele and Wilberforce Tirwomwe 4. Participatory Landscape Governance Laura German, Waga Mazengia, Simon Nyangas, Joel Meliyo, Zenebe Admassu, Berhanu Bekele and Wilberforce Tirwomwe 5. District Institutional and Policy Innovations Joseph Tanui, Pascal Sanginga, Laura German, Kenneth Masuki, Hussein Mansoor and Shenkut Ayele 6. Institutional Change and Scaling Up Chris Opondo, Jeremias Mowo, Francis Byekwaso, Laura German, Kenneth Masuki, Juma Wickama, Waga Mazengia, Charles Lyamchai, Diana Akullo, Mulugeta Diro and Rick Kamugisha
Laura German is a Senior Scientist at the Center for International Forestry Research in Bogor, Indonesia.
Jeremias Mowo is Regional Coordinator and Senior Scientist at the World Agroforestry Centre in Nairobi, Kenya.
Tilahun Amede is Nile Basin Leader for the Challenge Programme on Water for Food and Scientist at the International Livestock Research Institute and the International Water Management Institute in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Kenneth Masuki is Knowledge Management Specialist for the African Highlands Initiative at the World Agroforestry Center in Nairobi, Kenya.