Chinese Proverb

“Tell me, I forget. Show me, I remember”

ENGAGING FARMERS THROUGH

PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH -FARMER

INNOVATIONS ON THE USE OF

PREDATORY ANTS FOR PEST

MANAGEMENT IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Sim.A.Sar, Christine King, Elske van de Fliert, Redley Opasa, Michael Atoai, Anna Appa &Triya Papaya

Outline

� Introduction� Research Problem and objectives� Methodology � Results and discussion� Conclusion� References

Fig. 1: Research sites

Fig. 2: A highlands community

Fig. 3: Intensive sweet potato cultivation

How has R&D responded to

complexity?

� Top down approach� Conventional R&D systems with limited impact� We want to explore other options,� The way to do this is Social Learning (SL)� Limited research in SL in PNG

Personal reflections

� Participatory research is poorly defined and articulated

� Current research paradigm led to Q’s� Do I and/or institution understand participatory

research & can it be mainstreamed?

Research Objectives

� To understand how learning processes affect farmers’ ability to assess and integrate innovations into farming practices

� To identify and analyse strategies in facilitating learning between farmers, research & extension agencies on pest

� To develop a framework to facilitate learning across disciplinary, institutional and cultural boundaries

Fig. 4: Collective identification of constraints and

opportunities

• Resistant cultivars• Fungicides• Successful natural enemies

• Fungicides• Resistant cultivars• Live with the

problem• Insecticide/Bio-

control• Live with the

problem

• Fungicides• Live with the

problem• Insecticide/Bio-

control• Live with the

problem

• Coffee rust• Green scale

3.Coffee

• Insecticides/biopesticides• Improved NARI taro lines• Predatory ant

• Makum system-predatory ants (Kainantu)

• Insecticides (Kainantu)

• Fallow/Crop rotation• None & Live with

the problem• Pest avoidance

• Makum system-predatory ants

• Fallow/Crop rotation• Pest avoidance• None & live with the

problem

• Taro beetle2.Taro

• Integrated crop management• Pheromone• Biotechnology(PT)• Insecticides• Predatory ant• Agri-chemicals• Improved NARI sweetpotato lines

• None & live with the problem

• Pest avoidance• Varietal tolerance• Predatory ants

(Metiufa)• Fallow/crop rotation

• None & live with the problem

• Pest avoidance• Varietal tolerance• Fallow/crop rotation• Was not a problem

• Sweetpotato weevil

• Poor yield

1.Sweetpotato

Technology optionsCurrentlyIn the past

Solution's)Constraint's)Enterprise

Fig. 5: Farmer innovation on s/potato & ant association

Fig. 6: The ‘Makum' system-farmer innovation of taro

cultivation on ant hill

Complex challenges

� Conflicting interests� Dual role of ants� Risks to predatory ants� Systems approach to understand linkages and

develop interventions

LESSIONS AND WAY FORWARD

� Recognition & embracing other knowledge systems to develop pro-poor technologies

� Shift in research paradigms� Mainstream farmer innovations

References

� Castineiras,A., S.Caballero,G.Rego & M.Gonzalez (1982). Efectivided tecnico econmica de empeode la hormiga Leona, Pheidole megacephala, en el control del tetuan del boniata, Cylas formicarius elegantulus, Cienc.tec.Agric., Prot.Plantes, Supl.5:103-109.

� Röling and Wagemakers, 1998 In: N. Röling and A. Wagemakers, Editors, Facilitating Sustainable Agriculture. Participatory Learning and Adaptive Management in Times of Environmental Uncertainty, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (1998).

� Van de Fliert, E. and Braun, A.R. 2002. Conceptualizing integrative, farmer participatory research for sustainable agriculture: From opportunities and impact. Agriculture and Human Values, 19, 25-38.

� Wilson, E.O (1958). Patchy distribution of ant species in New Guinea rain forests. PSYCHE, Vol 65 March, 1958 N0.1.26-38

The outcome

� Improved livelihood and sustainability in PNG communities