Agriculture and Human Values 19: 25–38, 2002. © 2002 Kluwer Academic Publishers. Printed in the Netherlands. Conceptualizing integrative, farmer participatory research for sustainable agriculture: From opportunities to impact Elske van de Fliert 1 and Ann R. Braun 2 1 International Potato Center (CIP), ESEAP Regional Office, Bogor 16309, Indonesia; 2 Paideia Resources, P.O. Box 462, Nelson, New Zealand Accepted in revised form June 1, 2001 Abstract. This paper offers a conceptual model for participatory research projects that aim to improve the sustainability of agriculture and natural resource management. The purpose of the model is to provide a systematic framework that can guide the design of participatory research projects, their analysis, and the documentation of results. In the model, conceptual boundaries are drawn between research and development, development and extension and between extension and implementation. Objectives, activities, and actors associated with each of these realms need to be carefully selected, monitored, and evaluated throughout the course of a project using well-designed indicators. The depth of disciplinary and methodological integration, and quality of participation needed to reach the desired impact effectively and efficiently, however, needs to be determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the context and issues surrounding each particular project. Key words: Integrative research, Natural resource management, Participatory research and development, Program evaluation, Program planning, Sustainable agriculture Abbreviations: CGIAR – Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research; CIP – International Potato Center (Centro Internacional de la Papa); FFS – farmer field school; IDM – integrated disease management; IPM – integrated pest management; ICM – integrated crop management; R&D – Research and Development; UPWARD – Users’ Perspective With Agricultural Research and Development Elske van de Fliert is an ecologist and extension specialist and has worked for over a decade on participatory research and extension in integrated pest and crop management in Asia. Currently, she works as the IPM specialist for the International Potato Center in the East and Southeast Asian region and is the coordinator of the center’s Working Group on Participatory Research. Ann R. Braun is an ecologist by training. She is the facilitator of the Participatory Natural Resource Management Group of the CGIAR Systemwide Program on Participatory Research and Gender Analysis. Introduction Farmer participatory research has received increased attention and recognition since the “Farmer First” (Chambers et al., 1989) and Participatory Technology Development (Jiggins and De Zeeuw, 1992) concepts were first introduced in the late 1980s. Acceptance of the important role that farmers can play, if given a chance, in agricultural research, development, and extension has grown considerably. More and more mainstream institutions have realized that new tech- nology alone is not enough to achieve impact in farmers’ fields, particularly those in resource-poor and risk-prone areas. This change in perception is wide- spread and is being internalized by the centers of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) through a Systemwide Program on Participatory Research and Gender Analysis for Technology Development and Institutional Innova- tion (PRGA, 1997). The CGIAR has altered its mission, from a primary focus on productivity, to include concerns about the environment and poverty, reflecting a growing understanding that securing food, eradicating poverty, and protecting natural resources are inseparable goals (PRGA, 2000). Many other organizations are also developing ways to involve farmers in processes for generating economically and environmentally sound technologies, and managing natural resources more sustainably, and more equit- ably. Awareness of farmers’ critical roles as resource managers is increasing. At the same time, recogni- tion is mounting that ecologically sound agriculture and natural resource management means going beyond consulting with farmers, to sharing decision making