ABSTRACT
Using the concept of ‘collaborative advantages’, this chapter examines the nature of collaboration in successful long-term farmer–plant breeder cooperation. We first reflect on the complementarities existing among and within the two groups – farmers and plant breeders – as complementary resources and partner capacities are essential for creating collaborative advantages. A conceptual methodology for effective farmer–researcher collaboration is then used in examining experiences from long-term participatory plant breeding work in West Africa. We note seven distinct ‘steps’ of collaborative engagement, beginning with identifying partners and institutionalizing collaboration, followed by joint problem analysis, priority setting, and developing and testing possible solutions, and finally considering their relevance and reflecting on the learning process. We describe how these steps have been implemented in developing new varieties, producing and disseminating seed; and then summarize the progress and scale achieved through attention to collaborative advantages in this long-term process of joint action and learning. In conclusion, we discuss the challenges for sustaining and furthering such efforts, focusing on farmer capacity-building, mechanisms for long-term funding of decentralized collaborative variety/seed activities, and the basis for trust among collaborating partners.
