Influencing policy and action on Climate-Change adaptation - Climate Change Adaptation and Development: Transforming Paradigms and Practices - page 246

These multiple and shifting power relations between actors are crucial for
effective deliberation (Habermas 1989). They are a necessary condition for actors
to freely and confidently demonstrate their capabilities and make their voices
heard. Through these different spaces and power relations, particular groups
may initiate action on the basis of lessons learnt in the process of implementing
the research project, without having to wait for a top-down government policy
process or campaign to encourage the adoption of new practices based on the
research.
making the case for continuous and multiple target
stakeholder engagement
In this section we discuss the results of interactions between researchers and other
stakeholders in the policy process, highlighting notable achievements as well as
gaps. The interaction between PAR researchers and actors had, by the time of this
study, resulted in several tangible outcomes at various levels. These include the
establishment of a collaborative working relationship between the TMA, district
agricultural extension officers, NGOs, traditional weather forecasters and input
providers, in a way never seen before in Same and with considerable success. The
nature of the collaboration that emerged when researchers, agricultural extension
officers, weather forecasters (modern and traditional), input suppliers and
members of the farming community came together was indeed unprecedented,
as commented on by the farmers. The interaction offered a practical and effective
means for collaboration, exchange and implementation of ideas, as well as
facilitating coordination, enhanced trust among actors, a sense of recognition,
respect and inclusion by actors. Here it should be mentioned that traditional
weather forecasters had not been part of the initial research design: they were
included through the engagement processes at the village level at an early stage of
the research process. Another milestone was the establishment of a DMF by the
Same District Council, facilitated by the PAR researchers. This collaboration has,
as noted, resulted in an information brochure prepared by the DMF and issued
at intervals, containing weather information forecasts and expert farming advice.
Its distribution to farmers is facilitated by SAIPRO and agricultural extension
officers. Because of the importance of weather information in planning of
agricultural activities, the district TMA officer was co-opted into the highest
district policy body - the full council - for the first time. These are encouraging
achievements at the local level. The analysis provides insights into how PAR
actors could not only seek to influence the policy process more effectively, but
also be influenced in their research to make it more relevant to the intended
stakeholders, at the national and local levels.
However, it should be noted that the success of this collaborative effort
is heavily dependent on the robustness of the weather forecasts, made
among other factors. 2 Another challenge in the policy process concerns its
implementation. This hinges on the national- and district-level representative