ABSTRACT

This presents twenty specially commissioned case studies of farmer participatory approaches to agricultural innovation initiated by NGOs in Latin America. Beginning with a broad review of institutional activity at the grassroots, the authors set the case material within the context of NGO relations with the State and their contribution to democratisation and the consolidation of rural civil society. Specific questions are raised: how good/bad are NGOs at promoting technological innovation and addressing constraints to change in present agriculture?; how effective are NGOs at strengthening grassroots organizations? and how do/will donor pressures influence NGOs and their links to the State? This title is part of a series on Non-Governmental Organizations co-ordinated by the Overseas Development Institute. To complete this comprehensive review and critique there are two other regional case study volumes on Asia and Africa and an overview volume, Reluctant Partners?

chapter 2|17 pages

Democratizing Agricultural Development?

Concepts for analysing NGOs, the state and agricultural development in Latin America

chapter 3|30 pages

NGOs, the State and Rural Development

Changes in sociopolitical context since the 1960s

chapter 4|14 pages

From Modernization to a New Technological Agenda

Campesinos and technological change in Latin America

chapter 6|32 pages

Institutional Changes in the Latin American ATS

Creating room for manoeuvre in NGO–NARS collaboration?

chapter 7|32 pages

Making NGO–NARs Relations Work

The evidence on linkage mechanisms

chapter 9|16 pages

Conclusions: Rethinking Roles for NGOs and the State

Challenges of a new agenda for agricultural development