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Action research on alternative land tenure arrangements in Wenchi, Ghana: learning from ambiguous social dynamics and self-organized institutional innovation

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  • Samuel Adjei-Nsiah
  • Cees Leeuwis
  • Ken Giller
  • Thom Kuyper

Abstract

This study reports on action research efforts that were aimed at developing institutional arrangements beneficial for soil fertility improvement. Three stages of action research are described and analyzed. We initially began by bringing stakeholders together in a platform to engage in a collaborative design of new arrangements. However, this effort was stymied mainly because conditions conducive for learning and negotiation were lacking. We then proceeded to support experimentation with alternative arrangements initiated by individual landowners and migrant farmers. The implementation of these arrangements too ran into difficulties due to intra-family dynamics and ambiguities regarding land tenure. Further investigations to find out how ambiguities could be tackled revealed that the local actors themselves had taken initiatives towards developing institutional innovations to reduce ambiguities. However, there is still considerable scope for further development of these self-organized innovations. The article ends with a reflection on inter-disciplinary action research, where it is argued that making “mistakes” is an inherent and necessary characteristic in action research that aims to address complex social issues. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2008

Suggested Citation

  • Samuel Adjei-Nsiah & Cees Leeuwis & Ken Giller & Thom Kuyper, 2008. "Action research on alternative land tenure arrangements in Wenchi, Ghana: learning from ambiguous social dynamics and self-organized institutional innovation," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 25(3), pages 389-403, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:agrhuv:v:25:y:2008:i:3:p:389-403
    DOI: 10.1007/s10460-008-9133-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Buruchara, Robin & Tukahirwa, J. & Kashaija, Imelda & Farrow, A. & Wanjiku, C. & Rao, KPC & Adekunle, Wale & Kwesiga, Freddie & Majaliwa, MJG & Nyamwaro, SO & Kalibwani, R. & Tenywa, MM & Lunze, L. & , 2013. "Principles, design and processes of integrated agricultural research for development: experiences and lessons from LKPLS under the SSACP," African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, African Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 8(3), pages 1-20, September.
    2. Tianxiao Zhou & Zhiwen Luo & Xiaobin Zhang, 2024. "How do China's villages self‐organize collective land use under the background of rural revitalization? A multi‐case study in Zhejiang, Fujian and Guizhou provinces," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 55(1), March.
    3. Giller, K.E. & Tittonell, P. & Rufino, M.C. & van Wijk, M.T. & Zingore, S. & Mapfumo, P. & Adjei-Nsiah, S. & Herrero, M. & Chikowo, R. & Corbeels, M. & Rowe, E.C. & Baijukya, F. & Mwijage, A. & Smith,, 2011. "Communicating complexity: Integrated assessment of trade-offs concerning soil fertility management within African farming systems to support innovation and development," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 104(2), pages 191-203, February.
    4. Kebebe, E. & Duncan, AJ & Klerkx, L. & de Boer, I.J.M. & Oosting, S.J., 2015. "Understanding socio-economic and policy constraints to dairy development in Ethiopia: A coupled functional-structural innovation systems analysis," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 69-78.

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