Student asked for MSc-thesis research on poultry systems in Venda, Northern South Africa

Posted on February 17, 2014 by Dirk Roep

There is a possibility for a MSc-student to explore poultry dynamics in South Africa. Post-apartheid socio-technical development interventions (still) favours the introduction and expansion of modern poultry systems (broilers and layers) among smallholders to supply meat and eggs to urban consumers. The ‘formula 1 chicken’ (or plof kip) relies heavily on purchased industrial feed and fodder. The market, in addition, plays a crucial role. Together they shape the future of this poultry system. Next to this modern system, a flourishing poultry hinging on indigenous scavenging chicken is operational.

The project aims to make a detailed socio-technical analysis of both poultry systems with a focus on problematic issues and opportunities.

Accommodation and a translator can be arranged. Info: Paul.Hebinck@wur.nl

SOLINSA project has come to an end – the results

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Dirk Roep

January 31 the EU-funded research project SOLINSA has offically come to an end. A Special Issue of The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension is in preparation. Publication of the SOLINSA issue is foreseen for early 2015. For now the results of the project are available at the SOLINSA website under four subheading:

Here public reports of the different workpackages are published, six factsheets, posters and two video clips made for a SOLINSA webinar in which Gianluca Brunori and Talis Tisenkopf explain what LINSA are. These are also available at You Tube SOLINSA Project. To get an overview the SOLINSA home page offers a guided tour through the project and its results. The notion of transition partner captures well the various supporting roles towards LINSA.

Well-working operational interfaces – PhD-thesis Wiebke Wellbrock

Posted on January 20, 2014 by Dirk Roep

December 4 Wiebke Wellbrock succesfully defended her thesis (can be viewed at wurtv.wur.nl):

Well-working operational interfaces: A key to more collaborative modes of governance

This thesis comprises five chapters that are independent scientific publications. In the first chapter, I show how the ‘learning region concept’ and ‘triple helix thesis’ can be reframed to address support for collaboration in rural areas. In the second chapter, I reflect on the experiences of using the conceptual lens as a research tool for studying the operational features of arrangements supporting joint learning and innovation in the case study area of Westerkwartier, the Netherlands. In the third and fourth chapters, I deal with the question of how to best arrange support for collaboration by comparing the operational features of arrangements across the German and European case study areas. This thesis concludes with a discussion of the lessons learnt concerning: 1) wellworking operational features of arrangements supporting collaborative modes of governance, 2) the development and refinement of the conceptual lens, based on experiences of using it as a heuristic research tool, and 3) the potential of the refined framework to effectuate more collaborative modes of governance.

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SOLINSA and FarmPath – joint Final conference in Brussels, December 3 2013

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Dirk Roep

SOLINSA Final conference December 3 the EU-funded reserach projects FarmPath and SOLINSA will jointly present their findings at a final conference in Brussels. A detailed programme is available at the www.solinsa.net website. Location: Thon Hotel, Rue de la Loi / Wetstraat 75, B-1040. From 9.00 am till 4.30 pm.

Towards Implementation: Reflecting on 10 years of the Right to Food

Posted on October 25, 2013 by FoodGovernance

Today an interim report by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Olivier De Schutter, made to the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly has been released. You can download a PDF copy here: Assessing a decade of progress on the right to food

The report – Assessing a decade of progress on the right to food– provides insight into practical aspects of realizing the right to food. It notes that the right to food has “become an operational tool” that is “widely recognised as a key to the success of food security strategies” (para 3).

Focusing on progress made since the 1996 World Food summit, the report identified:

Best practices
Roles of key actors: governments, parliaments, courts, national human rights institutions, civil society organisations and social movements.

The report also notes that systems of national protection are being redefined in terms of rights, a welcome move away from the understanding social benefits as charitable hand-outs. It argues that the right to food has entered a new phase: implementation. This is key as it moves from theory and law to practice. Grievance redress mechanisms (e.g. courts, social audits) are playing a role in promoting this change.