Knowledge Systems for Sustainable Development Case Study Yaqui

Knowledge Systems for Sustainable Development Case Study: Yaqui Valley Agriculture September 2004 - July 2005 Pam Matson, Amy Luers, and Ellen Mc. Cullough

Principal Research Collaborators – Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University • William Clark – Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, Chile • Gilberto Gallopín – Chiang Mai University, Thailand • Louis Lebel – Stanford University • Pamela Matson

KSSD Project, Overview • Research Objective: – Understand promote the design of effective systems that harness research-based knowledge for sustainable development • Research Questions: – What are the characteristics of effective knowledge systems? – How does the effectiveness depend on social and environmental contexts? – How can knowledge systems be made more effective in specific circumstances?

KSSD Project, Overview • Other Case Studies: – Sustainable shrimp farming: a comparison of experience in Mexico and Thailand (Stanford, Chiang Mai University) – ENSO (El Niño) forecast applications in Brazil, Australia, Colombia, and the Pacific Northwest (Arizona State University and Harvard) – Sustainable livelihoods: an analysis of transformative technologies in Om Koi, northern Thailand (Chiang Mai) – Sustainable land use: a comparative analysis using the syndromes approach in Latin America (Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean) – Public health: an anlysis of efforts to combat malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuburculosis in developing countries (Harvard)

Stanford Case Studies • Year 1: – Shrimp Farming in Southern Sonora • Year 2: – Agriculture in the Yaqui Valley

Research Questions • Have knowledge systems transitioned towards sustainability in response to changes in the humanenvironment system? • How might the knowledge system change as regulations or incentives drive decision makers to adopt sustainable management approaches?

Shrimp Farming in Southern Sonora

Agriculture in the Yaqui Valley • The Yaqui Valley has been a highly successful model knowledge system for the Green Revolution • Facing increased environmental and socioeconomic pressures • How has the system adjusted to water scarcity? • How will it adjust if nitrogen runoff regulations are implemented?

National Water Commission Irrigation District (WUA) Industry Groups (e. g. AOASS) Secretary of Agriculture (State / Federal) Producers Universities Innovative Producers Credit Unions Agro. Industry Patronato (Farmer Research) CIMMYT & CGIAR centers Federal Research (INIFAP)

Methodology • Interviews – Public officials, farmer organizations, etc. • Public records, census data – SAGAR, Irrigation District, INEGI, etc. • Survey data series – CIMMYT and Stanford time series (1981 -2004) – 2004/2005 survey?

Challenges facing Knowledge Systems • Action for sustainable development • Knowledge for sustainable development • Linking knowledge and action • Ignorance, complexity and uncertainty • Capacity building (social and financial)