COMMUNICATIONS - CALLS

For information/cooperation:

On-farm crop development
The differences between the crops and varieties chosen by farmers are the result of very specific selection based on intimate knowledge of plant taxonomy, plant physiology and the agro-ecological environment. A farming community is heterogeneous in terms of its members' motivation, experience and skills for identifying and selecting cultivars.
The Community Biodiversity Development and Conservation (CBDC) Programme is looking for literature which discusses on-farm development of crops and conservation systems, and related seed management systems. Multidisciplinary studies are preferred. If you have any published or unpublished literature on these subjects, please send copies to:
W.M. van der Heide, CPRO-DLO Centre for Genetic Resources, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands. Fax: +31- 8370-18094.

Pastoral associations and sustainable land management in West Africa
Local associations of peasants and pastoralists are playing an important role in present development strategies aimed at sustainable land management. A research project in Benin has shown that pastoral associations could be of interest in this respect. After a decade of experience with pastoral associations, the researchers therefore would like to review the contribution of pastoral associations to sustainable land management in West Africa (from local organizations as well as externally initiated associations). In particular they want to analyse the efforts of the associations with respect to herd management, water management and range management.
The researchers of the University of Amsterdam Research Programme 'Livelihood & Environment', who coordinate research of geographers, regional planners, economists, ecologists and livestock experts, are currently preparing a major research proposal and are looking for:

1. African, European and American scholars and institutes working in these fields to share experiences and to put together joint research programmes and funding requests.
2. Research findings and experiences with pastoral associations in the field of herd, water and range management.

Plant breeding practices
The Sub-Saharan Africa Group of the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR) is compiling a bibliography on the plant breeding practices of subsistence farmers. Many examples of farmers using mass selection techniques exist. But what exactly are the criteria for selection in different areas and at what stage is selection carried out? And is there hard evidence for more complicated methods being used? The main geographical focus of the work is Africa, but papers, textual references, case studies and even anecdotes from all over the world will be welcome.
Contributions should be sent to:
Luigi Guarino, IBPGR, P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, Kenya. Fax: +254-2-631499. E-mail: L.GUARINO@CGNET.COM

Geographic Information Systems
Rhodora M. Gonzalez, MSc student of GIS for Rural Applications, is beginning a research project to incorporate indigenous knowledge into a Geographic Information Systems design. She is seeking papers, case studies and other references on this topic and/or documents dealing with indigenous farm practices for the management and conservation of natural resources.
Copies of such materials or information on how to acquire them will be greatly appreciated. Please send information to:
Rhodora M. Gonzalez, c/o Land Survey and Remote Sensing Department, P.O. Box 339, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands. Tel: +31-8370-23516. E-mail: gonzalez@ITC.nl

Astrology
Prof. Rohana Ulluwishewa, Director of SLARCIK, is collecting information on the use of astrology in traditional farming. Information on how farmers use astrology, and the implications of related practices for sustainable agriculture, is very much welcome.
Please send references and copies of published and unpublished materials to:
Prof. R. Ulluwishewa, SLARCIK, University of Sri Jayewardenapura, Forestry Unit, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka. Tel: +94- 1-851685. Fax: +94-1-437879.

Ethno-zoology
The Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Venda (South Africa) is interested in recording indigenous names and uses for animals. Indigenous peoples have unrecorded names, customs, beliefs and uses for most of the animals they come across. A project was started in 1989 in which 30 herbalists and 26 other persons were questioned about their knowledge of vertebrates (excluding birds). Discussion was initiated by showing clear photographs and other pictures of various species, and included animal descriptions and mimicry. One of the main aims is to help local students of zoology to make connections between modern knowledge and their own local, traditional knowledge, and to acquaint the department with local names. Preliminary findings include the facts that the incidence of name-giving exceeds all expectations and that animals are used in a wealth of ways for medicinal purposes. Unfortunately, young people were found not to share this knowledge. In rural areas, however, most adults could identify and describe most of the larger animals.
The fundamental aims of the project are to bring together persons interested in ethno-zoology and to determine the need and possibilities for producing, with the help of zoologists, a dictionary of animal names in south(ern) African languages.
Interested persons are asked to contact:
B.C.W. van der Waal, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Venda, Private Bag X2220, Sibasa, Venda, South Africa.

Women's health
The Women's Health Project at the University of Witwatersrand is co-ordinating the production of a women's health handbook. The plan is to include a chapter on traditional medicines and therapies that have been used or are being used by the various cultural communities throughout the country.
The Project staff is interested in documented research or information which provides insights on the following topics involving women's health: indigenous knowledge regarding the prevention and cure of diseases (including those that are sexually transmitted) and contraception (including abortion).
Interested persons are asked to contact:
Stephanie Moore, Women's Health Project, Centre for Health Policy, University of Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, 2193 Parktown, South Africa.

ARCIK
As part of its on-going work in indigenous knowledge, the African Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge (ARCIK) is conducting research on various topics involving Nigeria (see section Communications-IK Resource centres).
ARCIK is seeking information of similar work in other places, in the form of papers, case studies and other materials.
Contact: ARCIK, Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), PMB 5 þ UI Post Office, Ibadan, Nigeria. Tel: +234-22-400500. Fax: +234-22-416129 or +234-1- 614397.

Gender
In 1994 a special issue of the Indigenous Knowledge and Development Monitor will be devoted to the indigenous knowledge of women. Therefore articles, papers, case studies and other materials on this topic and/or on gender issues in general are greatly appreciated.
Please send copies of such materials, or information on how to acquire them, to the editor:
Ms. Akke W. Tick, Nuffic-CIRAN, P.O. Box 29777, 2502 LT The Hague, The Netherlands. Tel: +31-70-4260321. Fax: +31-70- 4260329. E-mail: ikdm@nuffic.nl

Wild foods
Dr. Hamid El-Bashir is seeking papers on the following topics:

• wild food use in Africa; and
• how agricultural research is related or unrelated to indigenous agricultural knowledge and practices in Africa, and how that affects rural development projects in Africa.

For research proposals:

Netherlands-Israel Development Research Programme
The Netherlands-Israel Development Research Programme (NIRP) was established in 1992 by the governments of The Netherlands and Israel. The main objective of this joint programme is to contribute to the processes of generating new knowledge and new ways of applying existing knowledge in areas that have a clear relevance for developing countries, and where Israel can offer specific expertise and experience. The two governments are convinced that these processes are essential for understanding social, economic, cultural and technical change in these countries and in North-South relations, and for promoting development objectives.
Other objectives of the programme are to facilitate international networking among researchers and research institutions, and, by training scientists through participation in projects, to increase research capacity in developing countries.
Research funded by NIRP:

• has clear and concrete relevance for developing countries;
• is focussed on finding solutions to problems of practical policy, mainly in countries of Africa (developing countries on other continents are not excluded, however);
• is focussed on social and cultural change and/or on social and economic institutions;
• is inquisitive and innovative;
• is carried out jointly (multi-/interdisciplinary) by researchers from Israel, researchers from developing countries and preferably also by Dutch researchers, under the aegis of universities or other independent academic institutions;
• is also aimed at increasing research capacity in developing countries. Projects are encouraged in which researchers from developing countries conduct the research while being supervised by senior research staff from Israel, the developing country concerned and The Netherlands; and
• can have a maximum duration of four years. Research projects have a maximum annual budget of US$ 50,000 and a maximum total project budget of US$ 150,000. Only research costs will be covered.

• political economy of nomad populations and pastoralism;
• migration and the absorption of immigrants and refugees;
• socio-economic and cultural aspects of primary health care;
• political, economic and cultural aspects of ethnic relations and nationalism;
• management of social and environmental problems in urban areas; and
• language policy and dynamics of communication in a multi- lingual context.

Plant protection improvement
If you are working in Botswana, Tanzania or Zambia and involved in any of the types of activities listed below, you may be able to obtain financial and/or technical support from the Plant Protection Improvement Programme (PPIP) funded by the Swedish International Development Authority (SIDA). PPIP support can be given to national institutions, NGOs or individuals.
Examples of the types of activities that might qualify for support are:

• training courses on new pest control methods;
• pest surveys and yield-loss assessment in small-scale farming;
• research into new and appropriate pest-control methods: natural pesticides, cultural practices, indigenous methods, etc.; and
• development of extension materials and methods for appropriate pest control and the safe use of pesticides.