Assessing the impact of agricultural research on poverty using the sustainable livelihoods framework

Abstract

This paper examines the effects of agricultural research and technology on poverty reduction in five case studies from programs through the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). The authors explain that there are various methods to understand poverty, and use a multidisciplinary approach examining the interaction between agricultural research and technology and the livelihood strategies of impoverished households and individuals. They suggest that in order to successfully understand the implications and potential of agricultural research, it is critical to develop an understanding of various factors of identity and power relationships among the poor, in addition to the knowledge of livelihood strategies produced through the sustainable livelihoods framework. The case studies come from projects in Bangladesh, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Mexico.