Activating the intrinsic motivations of beneficiaries for longer lasting conservation and development projects

How can we design conservation and development projects that produce lasting changes? How can we increase their effectiveness and legitimacy? The classical economic incentives of environmental policies (certification, sustainable forest management, payments for environmental services, green loans, etc.) are effective in the short term, but their environmental performance is not necessarily guaranteed in the long term. However, when the intrinsic motivations of beneficiaries are activated, these beneficiaries take greater ownership of the objectives of actions: they demonstrate more lasting behavioural change. Recent research combining behavioural economics and social psychology, conducted for such projects, is opening a rich and complementary avenue to mobilise this latent human potential. Considering intrinsic motivations implies recognising the importance of the psychological dimension of any action. Research and development decision-makers and donors can and ensure their calls for projects incorporate methods to identify and activate these motivations.

Biological inputs and agricultural policies in South America: between disruptive innovation and continuity

In South America, public policies take a strong interest in alternative technologies to agricultural chemical inputs (pesticides and fertilisers). Some South American countries support biological inputs, also known as bioinputs, through national incentive programmes and regulatory changes. Argentina, Brazil and Colombia are playing a leading role. However, the intention behind this promotion of bioinputs is not to break with industrial agricultural production models, from which States derive a large part of their tax income through exports. Rather, the goal is to foster coexistence between chemical and biological inputs in the context of a transition towards the bioeconomy. In this sense, the promotion of bioinputs meets the expectations of many South American farmers, as well as those of the agricultural inputs industry, which over the last few decades has diversified into these technologies. But these industrial dynamics are counter to certain farmers’ movements that defend on-farm production of biological inputs.

Cocoa agroforestry systems in Africa – the art of reconciling sustainable production and ecological services

Combining mixed trees with cocoa trees in so-called cocoa agroforestry systems is emerging as a viable option for regenerating cocoa cropping in Africa. Pure cocoa crop stands currently prevail in these areas but are running out of steam. Technical solutions are therefore urgently needed to stabilize cocoa-growing areas, reduce pressure on forests and adapt to climate change. A balance can be struck in stands by combining cocoa trees with diverse trees chosen by farmers for their different uses, while maintaining a suitable and sustainable cocoa yield. Ecological services such as carbon storage and crop protection are co-benefits of this balance. Recent research in Cameroon highlights that cocoa agroforestry stands can be managed using a straightforward indicator—measurement of the basal area of cocoa trees and associated trees. This indicator could be adopted for sustainable cocoa production certification purposes, while the observed convergence between local know-how and scientific results could facilitate joint drawing up of technical recommendations.

Strengthening the global health dialogue: linking research networks in the Global South

Myriad challenges arise when implementing health measures in middle- and low-income countries. Social, economic and sectoral constraints impede the application of research results and recommendations from national or international organizations. In these countries, platforms in partnership for research and training (dP) developed by CIRAD and partners in the health sector contribute unique and valuable experience. These platforms represent regional networks and foster intersectoral collaborative exchanges involving research, various social sectors and public and private governance levels. In the long term, they seek to develop networks of actors and policymakers while fostering innovation in different local and national contexts. This experience is now ripe for consolidating interactions at a more global level—linking regional health-oriented networks and building a platform of global scope. The concerned platforms collaborate to develop a shared vision of the targeted impacts and strategies to achieve them.