PROLINNOVA

PROmoting Local INNOVAtion in ecologically-oriented agriculture and NRM

Prolinnova is an NGO-initiated programme to build a global learning network to promote local innovation in ecologically-oriented agriculture and NRM. The focus is on recognising the dynamics of indigenous knowledge (IK) and enhancing capacities of farmers (including forest dwellers, pastoralists and fisherfolk) to adjust to change – to develop their own site-appropriate systems and institutions of resource management so as to gain food security, sustain their livelihoods and safeguard the environment. The essence of sustainability lies in the capacity to adapt.

The programme builds on and scales up farmer-based approaches to development that start with discovering how farmers do informal experiments to develop and test new ideas for better use of natural resources. Understanding the rationale behind local innovation transforms how research and extension agents view local people. This experience stimulates interest on both sides to enter into joint action. Local ideas are further developed in a participatory process that integrates IK and scientific knowledge. Joint action and analysis lead to mutual learning.

There are nine countries participating in PROLINNOVA: Ethiopia, Ghana, Uganda, Nepal, Cambodia, South Africa, Niger, Sudan, and Tanzania. PROLINNOVA country-level activities are supported by an international support team, composed of ETC-Eco-culture (the Netherlands), International Institute of Rural Reconstruction, IIRR (the Philippines), the Center for the International Cooperation at the Free University of Amsterdam (the Netherlands), and the Swiss Center of Agriculture Extension (LBL.)

PROLINNOVA Cambodia

Cambodia was involved at the inception phase and has been a member of PROLINNOVA since 2004. There are 20 institutions participating across the country, including Cambodia's largest agricultural NGO, CEDAC (Cambodian Center for Study and Development in Agriculture)

References

* [http://www.comminit.com/en/node/123700 The Communication Initiative Network]
* [http://www.http://www.fao.org/docs/eims/upload/216393/PROLINNOVA_Progress_Jan03.pdf ETC Ecoculture]

External links

* [http://www.prolinnova.net/index.php Official website of PROLINNOVA]