Contending with Complexity: The Role of Evaluation in Implementing Sustainable Natural Resource Management

• DOI: 10.3763/ijas.2003.0106
• Publication Date: 2010-04-14T19:56:48Z
• Authors: Boru Douthwaite; Robert Delve; Javier Ekboir; Steve Twomlow
• Keywords: Natural Resource Management

Three case studies show that natural resource management (NRM) research aimed at sustainably improving the well-being of African small-holder farmers is complex, and monitoring evaluation (M&E) an essential tool in coping with this complexity, supported by 'innovation systems' view adoption process. In studies, researchers adjusted their activities outputs on basis learning from M&E. Many insights came through identifying farmer innovations, which also proved a source improvements to respective technologies. Together, better understanding iterative made eventual widespread impact more likely. Farmers learnt M&E exercises facilitated adoption. The early process provided can provide foundation for plausible assessment.