Pedro Herrera, an Andean hillside farmer of Colombia, and his farming community are successfully overcoming poverty, while preserving the natural resources on which they depend. They draw on traditional agricultural knowledge and practices, cooperate in ways that are adjusted to today’s challenges; adopt sustainable agricultural practices; and seek relevant research support. Invited to a symposium on sustainable agricultural systems by the World Bank and the American Societies of Crop, Soils, and Agronomy, Pedro describes his and his community’s efforts. The World Bank and the Educational Media and Services of the Florida State University supported the video's production. 1998. 8:28 min.

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Murmurings of Water

Also available in Spanish
Prices:
Colombia, Col$30,000;
other developing countries, US$35;
developed countries, US$50.

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Bean Dreamers: Hope and Achievement in the Africa Bean Networks

Prices: Colombia, Col$30,000;
other developing countries, US$35;
developed countries, US$50.

The story of an "extended family" of men and women who belong to the bean research networks in eastern and central Africa, where the health of the inhabitants depends on the health of their bean crops. This video documents the researchers' dedication to solving problems of bean production in these areas, and the success both of regional cooperation in research and of meaningful farmer participation in the development and spread of technical innovations. 1998. 15:03 min. "Beans are everything. You eat beans with maize. You eat beans with rice. You eat beans alone. You eat beans fried. You eat bean soup. You eat beans morning, evening, and night. You think about beans, you dream beans." Reuben Otsyula, Kenyan bean breeder

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The IPRA Method: Participatory Research in Agriculture

Also available in Spanish
Prices:
Colombia, Col$30,000;
other developing countries, US$35;
developed countries, US$50.

Farmer participatory research is sometimes a difficult approach for researchers to adopt because it requires skills that are not necessarily "scientific." This video shows how an on-farm research team can successfully use this approach to evaluate new technologies. The type of information the team obtains before and during on-farm trials, and what is done with this information, are described. The processes of feedback between the team and farmers are discussed, including farmers' attitudes toward researchers, together with the researchers' fear of "losing face" with farmers. An accompanying study guide, which includes study questions, was written by J.A. Ashby and M. Guerrero. The entire publication was sponsored by the Kellogg Foundation. 1991. 21 min.

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Didactic Video on CIAL (Committees for Local Agricultural Research)

Also available in Spanish
Prices:
Colombia, Col$30,000;
other developing countries, US$35;
developed countries, US$50.

Since 1984, the project "Participatory Research in Agriculture" (IPRA) at CIAT has worked with farmers and community groups in the Department of Cauca, Colombia, and in other countries of Latin America. By developing "Committees for Local Agricultural Research" (CIALs, their Spanish acronym) project workers motivate farmers to become researchers, to decide on research topics, and to choose the experimental design. The farmers also interpret results and make decisions based on those results. Several professionals have been trained to develop CIALs, and are expected to train, in their turn, other professionals to do the same. This video is divided into three sections: Communication Skills, Formation and Diagnosis, and The Trial. 1997. 43:20 min.

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To Leave Something More and Every Corner of the Land

Also available in Spanish
Prices:
"To Leave Something More" and "Every Corner of the Land"
are available on a single cassette, which is offered
at the following prices:
Colombia, Col$30,000;
other developing countries, US$35;
developed countries, US$50.

To Leave Something More illustrates the role of PROFRIZA—the Andean Bean Research Network—in helping small-scale farmers not only meet the demands of life today but also conserve that which will remain for their children. 1996. 11:22 min.
Every Corner of the Land documents the "chemical culture" that has arisen among farmers in Ecuador and in other parts of the Andean region, with dire consequences for human health and the environment. This video describes the successful development of integrated pest management strategies, which offer the best hope for change. Interviews with farmers give a compelling viewpoint on the importance of farmer participation in research. 1995. 13:50 min. Also available in Spanish. "If you treat it well, every corner of the land will give something back." Gerardo Soto, hillside farmer.

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White Plague

Prices:
Colombia, Col$30,000;
other developing countries, US$35;
developed countries, US$50.

A sinister combination of insect and viruses is devastating vital crops in the tropics and subtropics. This video describes the whitefly and the viruses it spreads, how these hurt crops and people, and the hunt for solutions by researchers. 1997. 11:15 min.

To order a copy, go to publications distribution