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Abstract
Through a survey of scientists from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
(CIMMYT) in 2004, this study assessed the extent to which participatory methods had been used by
the center, how they were perceived by the scientists, and how participatory research could be applied
more effectively by CIMMYT and partners. Results for 19 CIMMYT projects suggest among other
things that participatory approaches at the center were largely “functional”—that is, aimed at
improving the efficiency and relevance of research—and had in fact added value to the research
efforts. The authors suggest that CIMMYT should (1) create a more conducive environment for
scientists to share experiences on such approaches and (2) better document their impacts on farmers’
livelihoods and well-being.