1 AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, INSTITUTIONS AND RURAL POVERTY ALLEVIATION Julio A. Berdegué International Farming Systems Research Methodology Network (RIMISP) Casilla 228-22. Santiago, Chile Tel +(56-2) 223 24 23 Fax +(56-2) 225 19 22 berdegue@reuna.cl Germán Escobar International Farming Systems Research Methodology Network (RIMISP) Casilla 228-22. Santiago, Chile ge@rimisp2.cl Diana Carney Overseas Development Institute (ODI) Portland House. Stag Place. London SW1E 5DP. UK. d.carney@odi.org.uk