PROJECT ASSESSMENTS - Science for Agriculture and Rural Development in Low-income Countries - page 200

G) Unfinished business and future challenges
1) Which important things remain to be done that could not be achieved by the
project?
Collection of accurate data (biophysical as well as socio-economical) and fine tuning of
prices and other local inputs to the technical coefficient generator. This must be done
by researchers from the target countries. Refinement of scientific definitions and
mapping of production and ecological functions.
2) Which important challenges in the area of RDSA in the tropics are there in the
near future (say 5 to 10 years)?
Incorporate social networks in analysis of land use systems. Map natural resource
management by farmers (diffuse boundaries, overlapping activities).
3) What type of research could contribute to addressing these challenges?
Integrated research from sociologists, economists, soil-vegetation-hydrology scientists
and GIS-experts.
H) For completed projects
1) What has happened since your DLO-IC project was completed?
Limited availability of funding hampered the regional use of the tool developed in
other IVC countries. VINVAL partners are looking for funding opportunities for
strengthening the tool and calibrate the tool in other IVC countries.
One MSc student from Wageningen University did her thesis research on stake-
holder perspectives on the use on natural vegetation for different purposes in Benin
and Togo. These activities were coordinated through the Regional Coordinating Unit
of IVC.
2) Are there follow-up proposals developed and to whom are they submitted?
No.