Papers by Catherine Dumora
Agriculture and Human Values, 2012
Rural development policies are often inspired by narratives that are difficult to challenge becau... more Rural development policies are often inspired by narratives that are difficult to challenge because they are based on an apparently obvious and coherent reading of reality. Research may confront such narratives and trigger debates outside the academic community, but this can have a feedback effect and lead to a simplistic or biased posture in research. This article analyzes a research-based initiative that questioned a commonly held narrative in large-scale irrigation schemes in Morocco concerning the structural weaknesses of farmer-led collective action. This initiative conceived an alternative narrative of farmer-led collective action, based on research and actions undertaken in collaboration with the farmers. The article assesses to what extent it was possible to design this narrative and to draw on it to orient research activities, actions with farmers and public engagement, without impairing the quality of the research process. The alternative narrative was designed and diffused based on three intertwined activities: i) the identification and analysis of farmer-led collective actions, ii) the diffusion of information on successful farmer-led collective actions especially through the production of videos, and iii) exchanges with and between local farmers' organizations. The alternative narrative that resulted from these activities emphasizes the potentialities of farmer-led collective action, and more broadly, the willingness and capabilities of many family farmers to play an active role in the governance of rural areas. The message of the alternative narrative and the distinction made between the research articles and videos in both their content and role ensured that research did not fall into simplistic or biased analyses. The alternative narrative also became a key to renewed relations between farmers and researchers and helped design training for students that pay more attention to local dynamics. In a situation in which scheme-level organizations show limited interest in reflexive enquiry, this initiative proposes some stepping stones to make it possible for changing narratives to accompany changing relations between actors.
Cahiers Agricultures, Oct 1, 2011
In Morocco, a new public policy for the agricultural sector raises once again the question of whi... more In Morocco, a new public policy for the agricultural sector raises once again the question of which type of development is needed for family farmers, and what may be done to support such development. The cooperation between farmer organizations and a group of research and training institutions led to activities undertaken in common in irrigation schemes and to the set up of a nationwide network of farmer organizations. The article analyses the farmers' learning, and the way such learning is used during the cooperation process, in order to meet involved persons' expectations and to ensure the sustainability of the network. Farmer learning involved various dimensions: technical, psychosocial (especially the capacity to compare oneself to other farmers and an improved self-esteem), and organizational, which led to improved capacity for collective action. The way the learning that took place was used back to drive the process highlights the issue of the link between individuals ...
Natures Sciences Sociétés, 2012
The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. All in-text references underlined in b... more The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. All in-text references underlined in blue are added to the original document and are linked to publications on ResearchGate, letting you access and read them immediately.
Agriculture and Human Values, 2012
Rural development policies are often inspired by narratives that are difficult to challenge becau... more Rural development policies are often inspired by narratives that are difficult to challenge because they are based on an apparently obvious and coherent reading of reality. Research may confront such narratives and trigger debates outside the academic community, but this can have a feedback effect and lead to a simplistic or biased posture in research. This article analyzes a research-based initiative that questioned a commonly held narrative in large-scale irrigation schemes in Morocco concerning the structural weaknesses of farmer-led collective action. This initiative conceived an alternative narrative of farmer-led collective action, based on research and actions undertaken in collaboration with the farmers. The article assesses to what extent it was possible to design this narrative and to draw on it to orient research activities, actions with farmers and public engagement, without impairing the quality of the research process. The alternative narrative was designed and diffused based on three intertwined activities: i) the identification and analysis of farmer-led collective actions, ii) the diffusion of information on successful farmer-led collective actions especially through the production of videos, and iii) exchanges with and between local farmers' organizations. The alternative narrative that resulted from these activities emphasizes the potentialities of farmer-led collective action, and more broadly, the willingness and capabilities of many family farmers to play an active role in the governance of rural areas. The message of the alternative narrative and the distinction made between the research articles and videos in both their content and role ensured that research did not fall into simplistic or biased analyses. The alternative narrative also became a key to renewed relations between farmers and researchers and helped design training for students that pay more attention to local dynamics. In a situation in which scheme-level organizations show limited interest in reflexive enquiry, this initiative proposes some stepping stones to make it possible for changing narratives to accompany changing relations between actors.
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Papers by Catherine Dumora