ABSTRACT
One of the fundamental justifications for the practice of FSH/E is that its methodologies promote a desirably close relationship between farmers, researchers, and extensionists in the determination of research criteria and the design and choice of interventions. The breakdown of communication and understanding seems greater between women -- as farmers, food processors, traders and consumers -- and male researchers. Researchers are often keen to learn about and understand the concepts of producers but have little awareness of the constructs and values inherent in their own knowledge system. In agriculture in industrial countries and albeit to a lesser degree in irrigated agriculture in developing countries, research organizations work within and for production and knowledge systems that are well-defined, well-organised, and highly interactive. In the northern Zambia location, the fact that local vegetables and fruits form an important part of the diet is well-established and there are even a few research programs investigating the more important species.
