Sowing seeds of trust : social learning in farmer family learning groups

Abstract: Agricultural systems, specifically in the global South, and the people living of them, are more than others, exposed to changes in the environment around them. Smallholder farmers (that work in agroecological systems), with a low standard of living, are the most vulnerable to short-term shocks and long-term stresses. There have been attempts by development agencies, researchers and local governments to facilitate the development of sustainable and dynamic agro-ecological systems, though, most of these have failed. My thesis based on a case study, which is situated in the biodiverse Rwenzori region in Uganda, where farmers are one of the poorest groups in society and directly depend on their own food production. This case study centers around an agro-ecological approach that promotes whole household participation and which is practically oriented and that encourages farmers to take charge of their development process towards an increased livelihood, through so called Farmer Family Learning Groups (FFLG’s). I depart from social learning theory and investigate to what extent social learning processes unfold in such groups and in what ways it supports an increase in farmers’ capacity (respond to livelihood stressors) and adapt to environmental change. Drawing on open-ended interviews with local farmers, Facilitators and the member organisation SATNET, I use the theory of social learning to identify conditions that facilitate social learning and compare these with my data. Factors identified are how trust is increased, how a change in attitude and behaviour occurs, how shared knowledge is created, social networks are strengthened, and how improved management of socio-ecological systems can be recognised. The results of this empirical study indicate that the FFLG’s provide a secure and trustful setting to create a participatory learning environment in which social learning can be practiced and contribute to improved livelihoods. Based on this case study I will propose an extension of the social learning theory by implementing a permanent facilitator that guides the farmer group, to ensure a continuous strive to achieve lasting change.