Quarterly Journal of International Agriculture No. 4/07
Advances in impact assessment of natural resources management research
David Zilberman
University of California at Berkeley, USA
Hermann Waibel
University of Hannover, Germany
Abstract
In this paper we summarize some recent examples of impact assessment
of Natural Resource Management Research (NRMR) in the CGIAR. In total
seven cases studies on NRMR impact have been conducted, which
demonstrate the impacts achieved with such research, the possibilities
and constraints of impact assessment methodologies. We highlight one
case which is particularly relevant for agriculture’s implications for
energy. The case studies provide empirical evidence of the impact of
NRM research in the CGIAR. At the same time the case studies illustrate
the need for new conceptual frameworks and models. In the paper we
therefore discuss advanced theoretical frameworks for assessing NRMR.
These methods and models can be used as a guide to frame future impact
assessment studies. While the methods applied in the seven case studies
are partial and are mainly driven by data availability the proposed
methods are comprehensive in specifically addressing micro level
behaviour of technology adopters, identification of the sources of
heterogeneity, the recognition of dynamic drivers, aggregation
procedures and the policy and institutional conditions for NRM
technologies. The focus lies on micro-level NRMR projects, but some
ideas assessing the impact of macro-level NRM projects, are given. In
the last part of the paper we draw some conclusions for further
research in this field.
Keywords: impact assessment, natural resource management, adoption, economics, technology
JEL: Q 01, Q 16, Q 55
Vol. 46 (2007), No. 4: 395-420