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Transforming agricultural research and development systems to meet 21st Century needs for climate action
No full textIn this opinion piece we address how to ensure that agricultural research for development is fit for purpose for the Twentyfirst Century. We focus on two themes: (i) the urgent need to engage social (together with natural) scientists in transdisciplinary research processes; (ii) the importance of the co-creation of knowledge via more democratic partnerships that genuinely address power asymmetries, as well as different stakeholders' roles (and responsibilities). We highlight discrepancies in the mix of social and natural science agricultural research, and also what may come across as a tepid commitment to partnerships despite the best intentions of many researchers.ClimBe
Understanding drought adaptation mechanisms from a gender perspective in Modogashe Ward, Kenya
No full textDroughts have severely affected the pastoral production system resulting in hunger, massive loss of livestock, acute water shortages, and drought-related conflicts. This study aimed to understand the drought adaptive mechanisms from a gender perspective in Modogashe Ward, Kenya. To achieve this, the study investigated the impacts of droughts and the various ways in which men and women cope and adapt to the impacts. Due to the homogeneousness in sociocultural and economic activities in the Ward data was obtained from 60 respondents comprising 30 males and 30 females through a stratified random sampling method. One respondent, either the husband or wife, was chosen per household. Both men and women rely on pastoralism as the main source of livelihood. Thus, the impacts and adaptation mechanisms were similar for both genders. However, due to the attachment of men to livestock, the impacts and adaptation mechanisms revolved around environmental factors while those of women revolved around the provision of household basic needs. Furthermore, the study area had limited adaptation mechanisms options resulting in similar coping and adaptation strategies among men and women but with minor variations in the preferred strategies. The variations in the preferred strategies were a reflection of the existing gender roles within the social construct of the community. Men were inclined toward measures that promote livestock keeping while women preferred measures that enhanced the provision of household basic needs. The findings from this study highlight the significant role of gender dimensions driven by the local socio-cultural settings in influencing the uptake of drought adaptation practices and strategies among communities
Responses to insecurity in Africa : the challenge of peacebuilding
No full textTurning a blind eye to the complexity of insecurities in Africa, peacebuilding discourses and practices on the continent have been too much focused on military interventions in regions like the Sahel, notably Mali. This paper critiques prevalent conceptualizations and practices, highlighting their shortcomings in effectively addressing the specific regional realities of the continent. It argues for a more nuanced understanding of African contexts, emphasizing the need to incorporate local perspectives and traditional governance structures into peacebuilding efforts. Additionally, it critiques the dominance of Western methods and perspectives in peacebuilding policies and advocates for greater recognition of African agency in defining and addressing security challenges. Overall, the paper recommends a hybrid and inclusive approach to peacebuilding that integrates indigenous knowledge and local capacities alongside international frameworks.Contents: Foreword [by Peter Wallensteen] -- Introduction -- Ake, post-colonial knowledge generation and peacebuilding -- Has peacebuilding become a wicked problem? -- Mali's slippery slope to collapse -- Positionality and reflexivity in peacebuilding? -- Regionally adaptive hybridity as a holistic, context-specific peacebuilding framework? -- The shift to 'regional peacebuilding' -- Conclusion -- Bibliography</p
‘Working for the stomach’ : sustaining peasant mining in south-western Uganda
No full textIn the mountainous areas of south-western Uganda, peasant miners are characterized aspeople who ‘work for the stomach’ and pursue an unsustainable activity: extracting alluvialgold with artisanal technology. After days of hard work in the mines, they allegedly squander their money on alcohol and sex. A common way of disapproving of these miners’ behaviour isto compare them to lake fishers (ababariya). By focusing on the ababariya narrative as anentry point into the lifeways of miners, and the relationship between mining and fishing andagriculture, we explore how peasant miners think about a sustainable life. Our argument isthat the ababariya can be instrumental in the reproduction and legitimization of existing social and economic inequalities. We therefore examine the contexts that frame the ababariyanarrative and the inequalities that it legitimizes. This leads us to reflect on whether this narrative on ‘excessive behaviours’ reveals something about an alternative way of thinkingabout economy and social relationships based on abundance rather than scarcity.Gold Matter
Scholarships and related opportunities at the Nordic Africa Institute
No full textThe Nordic Africa Institute scholarship programmes aim to promote research on contemporary Africa in the fields of social science and the humanities. The programmes provide funding and support to both Nordic and African scholars, playing a crucial role in fostering academic excellence and strengthening intellectual collaboration
COVID-19 risk perception and food security in the MENA region : evidence from a multi-wave household survey
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic had disruptive consequences for MENA countries’ agri-food value chains that exacerbated poverty and jeopardized food security. This study examines the relationship between individuals’ perception of contracting COVID-19 and their experience of food insecurity, using longitudinal data from the Combined COVID-19 MENA Monitor Household survey. It also investigates the underlying mechanisms of COVID-19 concerns and explores coping strategies employed by households to identify vulnerabilities in food security. The results provide compelling evidence of a strong association between individuals’ concern about the virus and various dimensions of food security, particularly reduced purchasing power and decreased meal frequency. Notably, this association follows an inverted U-shaped curve, with food insecurity initially increasing as worry grows, but declining after individuals contract the virus. High levels of concern were also linked to significant income decreases and worsening economic conditions. Moreover, individuals with higher concerns were more likely to rely on specific coping strategies, particularly spending savings and obtaining funds from relatives or friends. These findings underscore the need for government interventions during disease outbreaks and economic downturns to focus on alleviating individuals’ worry and fear to facilitate informed decision-making that minimizes food insecurity consequences. Additionally, the findings emphasize the need to strengthen social protection systems during public health and economic challenges to ensure food security for vulnerable populations.
Youth as game-changers? : Young people’s voices on social equity and climate adaptation in Kenya
No full textThis working paper explores the perspectives of young men and women in rural Kenya on social equity and climate adaptation. It draws on research conducted in three Endorois indigenous communities in Baringo County. Focus group discussions addressed young people’s understandings and experiences of social equity and fairness, empowerment, collective action, local governance, natural resource management, and climate adaptation. By applying a social equity lens to young people’s understandings and interpretations of the risks and opportunities they face, this research aims to identify entry points that empower them to advance their own lives and communities in ways they value. The findings suggest that young men and women perceive their communities as largely equitable — despite facing compounding disadvantages that include climate change and loss of livestock, the mainstay of their livelihoods. They value social equity and fairness, advocating for a balanced approach that prioritizes the most vulnerable, treats people equally, and ensures inclusive decision-making guided by competent leaders. Based on these understandings, they emphasize the strength of their village institutions and of their generation’s agency and capabilities. Nevertheless, the testimonies also reveal significant barriers to achieving equitable climate adaptation, related to the need for greater access to resources and opportunities. Young women, especially, report a deep sense of marginalization and experience significant gender inequalities, noting their limited participation in the institutions and networks governing decision-making and resource distribution within their households and communities. Despite these challenges, both young women and men in the study had attained education at high school or college level, and felt empowered by their academic achievements. Their aspirations for improving their lives and strengthen their villages’ resilience to climate change offer a basis for optimism. The study proposes investing in stakeholder capacity, fostering youth leadership and intergenerational exchanges, and developing strategies and partnerships responsive to the needs of rural youth, with particular concern for young women’s inclusion. It underscores the importance of locally-led governance, inclusive decision-making, and collective action as key to achieving equitable climate adaptation and social transformation.Contents: 1. Introduction -- 2. Methodology -- 3. Endorois Pastoral Livelihoods in Baringo County -- 4. Youth Perspectives on Social Equity and Climate Adaptation -- 4.1 Understandings of Fairness and Social Equity -- 4.2 Persistent gender inequities - compounded by a young age -- 4.3 Uneven capacities for collective action -- 5. Discussion and ConclusionsCGIAR Research Initiative on Climate Resilienc
Situational Analysis of Groundwater Resources in Kenyan Drylands, Case study of Turkana County
No full textRecent climate changes have increased the incidences of severe droughts and floods, which have increased the vulnerability ofpastoralists in the Kenyan drylands. Thus, there is a need to carry out a situational analysis of groundwater as it is the main source ofwater which provides baseline information useful for planning Analysis of results indicates that Turkana County is dominated byshallow wells and boreholes with the shallowest wells located along the seasonal rivers and Lake Turkana. The borehole depth wasfound to range between 20 to 200m. Most of the boreholes located near Lake Turkana were shallower compared to those far away fromthe lake with a depth ranging between 0 to 52m. Most of the boreholes had a low yield that ranged between 1.2 to 4.6m3/hr be attributedto the basement rocks which are prevalent in the county and are classified as poor aquifers. The water points were mainly dense inurban areas, which was mainly the central region where the water demand was high and this was attributed to the high population. Thegroundwater levels occurred mostly at 13m indicating that Turkana County has mostly shallow aquifers that predominantly occurredalong the river valleys and at the edge of the volcanic deposits. The groundwater quality is mainly saline as most of the boreholes hadhigh TDS, EC and chloride levels. The presence of high fluoride levels indicates the presence of high volcanic rocks that have highfluoride ions that are largely prevalent in the study region. The Sulphate, Nitrite and Nitrate Levels in all the water samples analyzedwere below the EU, WHO and KEBs standards indicating the low anthropogenic activities carried out in the drylands as most farmersare pastoralists. The most prevalent cation was sodium in some of the boreholes indicating why the groundwater was saline
Ecowas' dilemma : balancing principles and pragmatism : West Africa's regional bloc faces disintegration after failed sanctions against military regimes
No full textThe decision by Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger to leave Ecowas reflects the bloc’s failure to address security and humanitarian issues in the subregion. It is also a result of people losing faith in Ecowas’ leadership after years of complacency and inconsistency in championing its democratic principles. Pragmatic dialogue with the member states currently run by military regimes will be crucial if regional collaboration is to be revived. And defending democratic values will be crucial if civilian rule and popular trust are to be restored
Enhancing Indigenous Peoples' Participation in Climate Policy Processes
No full textEmphasises the importance of a granular approach to climate justice and indigenous peoples' participation in climate policy processes. A more explicit focus on context specific understanding of social equity allows for greater participation of the most vulnerable within Indigenous communities. This necessitates attention to historical and contemporary relations of power and oppression, ones that frame the lives of indigenous peoples' worldwide. By implication, it mitigates the dangers of maladaptation within these communities and gives greater credence to the pledge to leave no one behind. The importance of social equity highlights a key research development and evidence gap ahead of the 2024 Conference of the Parties (COP) of the UNFCCC (COP29).ClimBe