CONTEXT

Mycotoxins and other food safety and preservation challenges are prevalent in smallholder food systems, and communities often lack the knowledge and capacity required to effectively diagnose and address these concerns. Participatory research can facilitate innovation in resource-poor settings by fostering collective identity and leveraging endogenous systems of change, but there are limitations to the scalability and impact of this approach across contexts. Embedding participatory research within a farmer research network (FRN) has the potential to enhance the effectiveness of participatory research by enhancing the flow of knowledge between local and global innovation systems.

OBJECTIVE

This study proposes a framework for FRN-mediated participatory food safety research and reports on key findings from an application of this approach in six villages in Unnao District, Uttar Pradesh, India.

METHODS

A cohort of 184 households was organized into a FRN and engaged in a series of participatory research activities. Collective identity was developed within the FRN by reflecting on shared goals and establishing leadership. Participatory context characterization combined with multiple factor analysis (MFA) enabled formation of interest-based affinity groups, which explored potential solutions to a range of local problems. Affinity group deliberations led to the implementation of a FRN-wide hermetic grain storage intervention. Uptake of the technology was evaluated by monitoring continued usage, willingness-to-pay, price elasticity of demand, and retail sales across localities. Efficacy of the FRN approach for participatory food safety research was assessed by monitoring participation, motives, and experiential outcomes among members.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Context characterization revealed distinct needs profiles influenced by the extent of home versus non-home time allocation and economic orientation. Household trials of hermetic sacks were effective in 99% (128/129) of participating households, with 83% continuing use in subsequent seasons. Willingness-to-pay analysis demonstrated substantial demand for hermetic sacks but high price elasticity across hypothetical price points. Despite demonstrable demand and positive reception, actual sales were low (<10 units) due to perceived high cost of the technology. Participation and experiential outcomes were generally positive, but the FRN was not successful in maintaining adequate, representative gender balance in its programming.

SIGNIFICANCE

This study documents a novel application of the FRN approach to participatory food safety research and constitutes substantial evidence for the potential for FRNs to catalyze local-global knowledge feedback loops. The model outlined is widely adaptable and could be used across contexts in India and elsewhere.

中文翻译：

---

农民研究网络在印度农村实现基于社区的真菌毒素管理

语境

真菌毒素和其他食品安全和保存挑战在小农食品系统中普遍存在，社区往往缺乏有效诊断和解决这些问题所需的知识和能力。参与式研究可以通过培养集体认同和利用内生变革系统来促进资源匮乏环境中的创新，但这种方法在不同背景下的可扩展性和影响存在局限性。在农民研究网络 (FRN) 中嵌入参与式研究有可能通过增强本地和全球创新系统之间的知识流动来提高参与式研究的有效性。

客观的

本研究为 FRN 介导的参与式食品安全研究提出了一个框架，并报告了在印度北方邦 Unnao 区的六个村庄应用这种方法的主要发现。

方法

一个由 184 户家庭组成的队列被组织成一个 FRN 并参与了一系列参与性研究活动。通过反思共同目标和建立领导力，在 FRN 内部形成了集体认同。参与式上下文表征与多因素分析 (MFA) 相结合，能够形成基于兴趣的亲和团体，探索一系列当地问题的潜在解决方案。亲和小组的审议导致实施了 FRN 范围内的密封粮食储存干预措施。通过监测持续使用情况、支付意愿、需求价格弹性和各地零售额来评估该技术的采用情况。FRN 参与式食品安全研究方法的有效性通过监测成员的参与、动机和体验结果来评估。

结果和结论

背景特征揭示了受家庭与非家庭时间分配和经济导向程度影响的不同需求概况。密封袋的家庭试验对 99% (128/129) 的参与家庭有效，其中 83% 在随后的季节继续使用。支付意愿分析表明，对密封袋的需求很大，但假设价格点的价格弹性很高。尽管有明显的需求和积极的反应，但由于认为该技术的成本很高，实际销售量很低（<10 台）。参与和体验结果总体上是积极的，但 FRN 未能成功地在其规划中保持足够的、具有代表性的性别平衡。

意义

本研究记录了 FRN 方法在参与式食品安全研究中的新应用，并为 FRN 催化本地-全球知识反馈循环的潜力提供了实质性证据。概述的模型具有广泛的适应性，可以在印度和其他地方的各种情况下使用。