- The project aimed to improve subsistence rice farming systems in tribal communities in India through on-farm research led by farmers. - The project increased crop diversity and household incomes, reduced food insecurity and forced migration, and improved self-esteem and capacity for innovation. - A transdisciplinary approach was used, actively involving farmers and local organizations in research through action learning cycles and on-farm trials, respecting different knowledge systems and promoting systemic thinking beyond individual disciplines.

1. An undisciplined approach to
research for development:
Reflections from an agricultural research for
development project on the East India Plateau
Bill Bellotti
Vincent Fairfax Chair in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development
University of Western Sydney

2. Project Synopsis
• Rice based subsistence farming systems
• Endemic poverty, nutrition insecurity
• ‘Tribal’ communities in ‘less favourable’ uplands
• 1200 mm annual rainfall (monsoon)
• Vegetable cash crops highly profitable
• Local talent for innovation and entrepreneurship
largely unrecognised

3. Project Impacts
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Crop diversity and intensity increased
Household income increased
Food & nutrition insecurity reduced
Forced migration reduced
Changed perceptions of land, water, self
Esteem (self and by others) improved
Independent capacity for innovation improved
Benefits ongoing
See Ashok Kumar’s
presentation tomorrow at 1

4. Process of Engagement
• PRADAN focus on development
– Agriculture OK if attractive
• Women Self Help Groups (SHG)
– Literacy, numeracy, financial, agriculture…
• Action Learning Cycle
– Plan – Do – Observe – Reflect
• On-Farm Research
– Farmer/community managed, farmer data
collection, interpretation…

5. Are scientists part of the problem?
• Discipline based, not reflecting ‘lived reality’
– Reductionist interventions
– Preconceived theories and idealised outcomes
• Research for Development, theory & practice
– Systemic, epistemic, integrative
– Evidence based, publication in peer-review journals
– Research impacts beyond science
– change behaviour, well-being, etc.

6. Transdisciplinarity 101
• Not the same as multi- or inter-disciplinary
• Transdisciplinary
1. Deliberate plan to transcend discipline boundaries
from outset of research.
2. Active participation of non-scientists in the research
process.
3. Respect for different knowledge systems and world
views.
4. More effective research impact; particularly for
behavioural change.

7. Thomas Jahn (2012) Transdisciplinarity in the
Practice of Research, Interdisciplines
… transdisciplinarity as a form of research
practice that "has freed itself from disciplinary
boundaries, defining and solving its problems
independently of any discipline”.
(Mittelstraß, 1998, quoted by Jahn, 2012)

8. Transdisciplinarity in Practice on the EIP
• Multiple stakeholders:
– Universities, development practitioners, research
organisations (not all), smallholder farmers
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Focus on livelihoods and agency
Research in farmer context
Research as learning opportunity for all
Integrative
Capacity for villagers to take action

9. Integrative research topics
• Changing perceptions of land, water, and self
through on-farm agricultural research
• Link between crop diversity and diet
diversity, possible nutrition and health outcomes
• Interactions between household economy (incl.
family farm) and wider economy on development
outcomes

10. Direct Seeded Rice
• Traditional practice is transplant (RISKY)
• DSR is a game changer:
– Climate resilient agriculture
– Gender friendly
– Nutritionally sensitive
• System change – requires farmer innovation

11. Barriers to Implementation
• Discipline mentality still dominant
• Institutional inertia
• Metrics for “Research Excellence”
• Transaction costs
• Outcomes less predictable

12. Does A4NH need a stronger
theoretical base?
• Current priority for R&D funding
• Investors need evidence of impact
• Could Transdisciplinarity provide a robust
theory leading to more effective interventions
• YES, but not a recipe, more a set of principles

13. Last word
“We (researchers/development officers) need to
learn to step back, to create space for innovation
by farmers/landholders”.
(Dinabandhu, PRADAN, 2010)

14. Labourers to Farmers to Researchers & Teachers