348 Agricultural Revolutions and Change
approach combining biophysical and behavioural sciences, the participation of
diverse kinds of institutions, work based at benchmark sites, and common meth-
ods to be used at all sites. The benchmark sites and standard protocols are intro-
duced in this chapter.
Cross-disciplinary research and development framework
The ASB developed a conceptual framework in which the land-use system adopted
by farmers depends on farm households’ objectives; their natural, human, social,
technical and financial resources; and the biophysical, social, economic and politi-
cal constraints to the use of these resources. The effects of these land-use systems
for alleviating poverty, conserving resources and reducing deforestation were then
assessed along with the impacts of current and alternative policies (Palm et al,
1995; ASB, 1996). An integrated natural resource management (INRM) research
framework that was later developed by the international agricultural research cen-
tres (Figure 15.2; CIFOR, 2000; Izac and Sanchez, 2001) was based largely on the
ASB experience. The various steps in the research process of problem identifica-
tion, assessment of food and income services, assessment of ecosystem services,
trade-off analysis, policy research and implementation, and impact analysis are
discussed in the following sections.
Source: Modified from ASB, 1996; CIFOR, 2000; Izac and Sanchez, 2001)
Figure 15.2 The research and development framework used by ASB