The use of system dynamics tools can add valuable insights when identifying and evaluating priorities for pro-poor value chain upgrading. However, to better understand the complex systems in agricultural value chains and to develop useful models, a participatory modelling process is important. This article highlights the group model building process of the dairy value chain in Matiguás, Nicaragua, one of a few examples of participatory model building in developing countries. The results confirm several benefits with participatory system dynamics modelling, including team learning, a greater understanding of the value of modelling, and a tool for decision-making and priority setting. | Participatory system dynamics modelling for dairy value chain development in Nicaragua

Although community level seed-saving initiatives have been around for about 30 years, until recently they have received little attention in the scientific literature on climate change adaptation and plant genetic resources. Based on research experiences from various countries, this article argues that community seed banks can enhance the resilience of farmers, in particular of communities and households most affected by climate change. Community seed banks can secure improved access to, and availability of, diverse, locally adapted crops and varieties, and enhance related indigenous knowledge and skills in plant management, including seed selection, treatment, storage, multiplication, and distribution.

Although community level seed-saving initiatives have been around for about 30 years, until recently they have received little attention in the scientific literature on climate change adaptation and plant genetic resources. Based on research experiences from various countries, this article argues that community seed banks can enhance the resilience of farmers, in particular of communities and households most affected by climate change. Community seed banks can secure improved access to, and availability of, diverse, locally adapted crops and varieties, and enhance related indigenous knowledge and skills in plant management, including seed selection, treatment, storage, multiplication, and distribution.

To address the livelihood problems faced by the poor and vulnerable in Northern Province of Zambia, a novel collective action approach called livelihoods enhancement groups (LEGs) was used as a platform for facilitating research on development initiatives to generate change. Using focus group discussions and key informant interviews, this article assesses the potential of using the LEGs approach in generating change. The livelihood changes observed arose with the LEG as a platform through which different knowledge nodes interacted. Livelihood areas that LEGs affected included crop production, livestock production, nutrition, and access to credit. Afin de discuter des problèmes de subsistance auxquels sont confrontées les personnes pauvres et vulnérables dans la Province Septentrionale de la Zambie, une nouvelle approche d'action collective appelée Livelihoods Enhancement Groups, ou LEGs, (Groupes d'amélioration des moyens de subsistance) a été utilisée en tant que plateforme de recherche sur des initiatives de développement visant à générer du changement. Basé sur des groupes de discussion thématique et des entretiens avec des informateurs clés, cet article évalue le potentiel de cette approche pour générer du changement. Les changements observés dans les moyens de substitution ont augmenté avec l'approche LEG en tant que plateforme d'interactions entre différents noyaux de connaissance. Les domaines de subsistance impactés incluent la production agricole, l'élevage du bétail, la nutrition et l'accès au crédit. Para abordar los problemas vinculados a los medios de vida enfrentados por la población empobrecida y vulnerable de la Provincia del Norte de Zambia, se impulsó un novedoso enfoque de acción colectiva llamado “grupos destinados al mejoramiento de los medios de vida” (leg por sus siglas en inglés); se trata de una plataforma encaminada a facilitar la investigación de aquellas iniciativas de desarrollo orientadas a generar cambios. A partir de discusiones realizadas en varios grupos de enfoque y de entrevistas con informantes clave, el presente artículo evalúa la posibilidad de usar el enfoque de leg para promover la generación de cambios. En este sentido, se constata que los cambios que tuvieron lugar en los medios de vida surgieron tras el uso de los leg como plataforma en la que interactuaron diversos nodos de información. Éstos incidieron en varias áreas vinculadas a los medios de vida, por ejemplo, la producción de cultivos, la cría de ganado, la nutrición y el acceso a créditos.

To address the livelihood problems faced by the poor and vulnerable in Northern Province of Zambia, a novel collective action approach called livelihoods enhancement groups (LEGs) was used as a platform for facilitating research on development initiatives to generate change. Using focus group discussions and key informant interviews, this article assesses the potential of using the LEGs approach in generating change. The livelihood changes observed arose with the LEG as a platform through which different knowledge nodes interacted. Livelihood areas that LEGs affected included crop production, livestock production, nutrition, and access to credit.