Makibio, a project embedded within a new respectful, participatory and transparent social contract between researchers and farmers [Practice Abstract]
Twenty-nine organic mixed crop–livestock farms in Guadeloupe were surveyed to characterise their multiperformance using the STREAM tool, developed by Agroecology-TRANSECT project. These farms were selected to reflect the diversity of agroecological crop–livestock integration practices across the archipelago. Given the length and density of the survey guide, the researchers proposed that the field phase be conducted using a participatory approach.
Concretely, a team of at least five people dedicated half a working day to assisting the farmers with a task of their choice before administering the questionnaire and conducting field observations. This organization aimed to foster trust with the farmer. It constituted a form of recognition and compensation for the time devoted to hosting the research consortium. In return for this trust, the researchers expected greater farmer engagement and, consequently, more reliable responses. Moreover, prolonged on-farm presence enabled investigators to gain critical distance, improve their understanding of farm organization, and contribute to the development of a shared language.
More fundamentally, placing researchers and students in a position of subordination to the farmer served to invert the traditional hierarchy in which scientific knowledge dominates experiential knowledge. This approach fosters an embodied awareness of the constraints of farming, including labour arduousness. Over the long term, it may help restore a balance conducive to dialogue and co-construction.
These participatory surveys conducted within the Makibio project represent one possible research framework among others for reshaping the researcher’s posture. Their perception by farmers remains to be assessed beyond spontaneous feedback (gratitude, surprise, opportunity, perceived benefit, etc.).
Are they viewed as necessary and useful for establishing a renewed social contract between agricultural sciences and the farming community in Guadeloupe?
Geographical location: French island the Caribbean
Keywords: Socio economic resilience, Transdisciplinary research
Country: France (Guadeloupe)
