4

AKST in Latin America and the Caribbean:
Options for the Future


Coordinating Lead Authors:
Ali Taha Ayoub (Sudan), Rym Ben Zid (Tunisia)

Coordinating Lead Authors:
Inge Armbrecht (Colombia), Flavio Avila (Brazil)

Lead Authors:
Jorge Blajos (Bolivia), Patrick Lavelle (France), Dalva M. da Mota (Brazil), Lucia Pitalluga (Uruguay)

Contributing Authors:
Sergio Salles Filho (Brazil), Jorge Irán Vásquez (Nicaragua)

Review Editors:
Edelmira Pérez (Colombia), David E. Williams (USA)


Key Messages

4.1 Conceptual Framework 167
4.2 Options for Strengthening the Impact of the AKST System 168
  4.2.1 Diversity of AKST entities in Latin America and the Caribbean 168
    4.2.1.1 Integration of AKST systems 168
    4.2.1.2 Priority to research that supports development and sustainability goals 170
    4.2.1.3 Development and strengthening of agricultural programs to generate and increase the value of knowledge for local and indigenous communities 170
    4.2.1.4 Promotion of advances in agroecology as cutting-edge technology 170
    4.2.1.5 Redirecting new areas of research towards development and sustainability goals 171
  4.2.2 Sustainable environmental and socioeconomic development 171
    4.2.2.1 Emphasis on the search for more effective solutions to prevent environmental degradation 171
    4.2.2.2 Study and understanding of the dynamics of basic natural resources 172
 
    4.2.2.3 Improvement of conventional systems in order to reduce and mitigate their negative environmental impacts 173
    4.2.2.4 Use and control of the application of newtechnologies 173
    4.2.2.5 Investment in AKST systems for the development of technological innovations to overcome healthproblems. 173
    4.2.2.6 Development of technologies to strengthen integrated pest management 173
    4.2.2.7 Land distribution 174
  4.2.3 Climate change and bioenergy 174
    4.2.3.1 Research to evaluate the contribution of agricultureand livestock farming to the production of renewableenergy 174
  4.2.4 Biodiversity 175
    4.2.4.1 Development of strategies for the conservation andsustainable use of biodiversity in Latin America and the Caribbean 175
    4.2.4.2 Sustainability of livestock farming 176
4.3 Options For Strengthening AKST Capacities 176
  4.3.1 Creation of institutional mechanisms for knowledge sharing 176
  4.3.2 Adoption of a participatory approach to research 177
  4.3.3 Strengthening of R&D networks 177
  4.3.4 Organizational models 177
  4.3.5 Models of Governance—strengthening and modernization of management models 178
  4.3.6 Interaction of AKST systems and social movements 179
  4.3.7 Intellectual property rights 179
  4.3.8 Promoting the use of models that ensure food sovereignty and stem or reverse the rural exodus 180
  4.3.9 Market study for establishment of a direct link between local producers and consumers of foodstuffs in peri-urban areas 180
  4.3.10 Strengthening the capacities of AKST stakeholders 181
  4.3.11 Restructuring education curricula 181
  4.3.12 Evaluation of the impact of AKST systems 182
  4.3.13 Participation of AKST systems in the formulation of public policies 182