Insufficiences and inequities in food production and supply in poor countries need to be addressed as problems of both agricultural resource management and rural democratization. "Reluctant Partners?" combines comprehensive empirical insights into NGO's work in agriculture with wider considerations of their relations with the State and their contribution to democratic pluralism. This overview volume for the "Non-Governmental Organizations" series contextualizes the case study material in the three regional volumes on Africa, Asia and Latin America, where over 60 specially commissioned case studies of farmer participatory approaches to agricultural innovation are presented. Specific questions are raised. How good/bad are NGOs at promoting technological innovation and addressing contraints to change in peasant culture? How effective are NGOs at strengthening local organizations? How do/will donor pressures influence NGOs and their links to the state?.

This presents 20 specially commissioned case studies of farmer participatory approaches to agricultural innovation initiated by NGOs in Africa. Beginning with a broad review of institutional activity at the grassroots, the authors set the case material within the context of NGO relations with the State and their contribution to democratisation and the consolidation of rural civil society. Specific questions are raised: how good/bad are NGOs at promoting technological innovation and addressing constraints to change in present agriculture?; how effective are NGOs at strengthening grassroots organizations? and how do/will donor pressures influence NGOs and their links to the State? This title is part of a series on "Non-Governmental Organizations" co-ordinated by the Overseas Development Institute. To complete this comprehensive review and critique there are two other regional case study volumes on "Asia" and "Latin America" and an overview volume, "Reluctant Partners?".

This presents 20 specially commissioned case studies of farmer participatory approaches to agricultural innovation initiated by NGOs in Africa. Beginning with a broad review of institutional activity at the grassroots, the authors set the case material within the context of NGO relations with the State and their contribution to democratisation and the consolidation of rural civil society. Specific questions are raised: how good/bad are NGOs at promoting technological innovation and addressing constraints to change in present agriculture?; how effective are NGOs at strengthening grassroots organizations? and how do/will donor pressures influence NGOs and their links to the State? This title is part of a series on "Non-Governmental Organizations" co-ordinated by the Overseas Development Institute. To complete this comprehensive review and critique there are two other regional case study volumes on "Asia" and "Latin America" and an overview volume, "Reluctant Partners?".

Insufficiences and inequities in food production and supply in poor countries need to be addressed as problems of both agricultural resource management and rural democratization. "Reluctant Partners?" combines comprehensive empirical insights into NGO's work in agriculture with wider considerations of their relations with the State and their contribution to democratic pluralism. This overview volume for the "Non-Governmental Organizations" series contextualizes the case study material in the three regional volumes on Africa, Asia and Latin America, where over 60 specially commissioned case studies of farmer participatory approaches to agricultural innovation are presented. Specific questions are raised. How good/bad are NGOs at promoting technological innovation and addressing contraints to change in peasant culture? How effective are NGOs at strengthening local organizations? How do/will donor pressures influence NGOs and their links to the state?.