Document(s) 2 of 12

The research documented in this book and the book itself came to fruition thanks to the support of many people. Women and men farmers and herders shared their ideas, points of view, dreams, concerns and worries with the research teams while teaching us about their way of life in India, Nepal, China, Viet Nam and Mongolia. Extension agents, other researchers and government officials collaborated with the teams, joining the learning caravan on the road to better understanding and action. We acknowledge their contributions to the research, their patience, hospitality and good company.

Special thanks go to John Graham, former IDRC programme officer, now happily enjoying a quieter life. John provided spirited input and critical feedback from start to finish—in the field, during workshops and through long-distance correspondence. He patiently proofread all chapters, highlighting gaps, questionable observations and shaky use of the English language. We have done our best to take his suggestions into account, and he is not to blame for any remaining errors.

Support and encouragement were provided by many other IDRC colleagues from the Sustainable Use of Biodiversity and the Community-based Natural Resource Management teams, the Gender Unit, the communications group, and staff in the Singapore, New Delhi and Ottawa offices. Thank you!

We say xie xie to the staff of the Center for Chinese Agricultural Policy (CCAP) in Beijing for their support and good humour, and for demonstrating their singing talents to us fearlessly and skilfully. We acknowledge the perceptive comments of Peng Guangqian when we first dared to venture into a comparative analysis of the six case studies.

Our English writing skills were greatly improved by Sandra Garland. The artful publishing was in the hands of Tejeshwar Singh, managing director of Sage Publications, India, Ke Wenwu, director and senior editor of China Agricultural Press, and Bill Carman, managing editor at IDRC. We also acknowledge the support of Omita Goyal, consultant commissioning editor.

The Sikkim/West Bengal team notes that their region has been long overlooked by most international development organizations. IDRC has been one of the few that has taken an interest in this region and its people, thereby, bringing it into focus on the international development scene. They thank IDRC for this. The process of conducting this study required numerous visits to the villages and long hours interviewing and questioning the farmers. The team would like to express their gratitude to the farmers, who throughout all of this showed immense patience and enthusiasm—and showered the team with hospitality. They are also grateful to the six field assistants for their contribution and invaluable help. Liz Fajber (IDRC) for her guidance and advice, deserves special mention. Nawraj would also like to acknowledge the Indo-Swiss Project, Sikkim, for allowing him to participate in this study.

The Nagaland study authors thank IDRC officials, Ronnie Vernooy, Liz Fajber and John Graham, for allowing them to undertake social and gender analysis research in Nagaland and for supporting them throughout. They also acknowledge the contributions of their peer groups during workshops, discussions and interactions in identifying gaps and shortcomings, improving learning, and enhancing skills and confidence. Through this research, the Nagaland Empowerment of People through Economic Development (NEPED) project has begun to venture into gender issues at other institutions. Thanks also go to Alemtemshi Jamir, IAS, NEPED team leader, for his continuous support, to the Project Operation Unit colleagues, and to other stakeholders including women vendors from four villages, the Kohima Town Committee, the agriculture department, the horticulture department and the district administration. Last but not the least, they acknowledge the contribution made by their family members in terms of moral support, travelling with them at times to research sites, bearing with them when they worked long hours and attached themselves to the computer.

The LI-BIRD authors thank IDRC for financial and technical support throughout the research. They express sincere gratitude to the farming communities of Kachorwa for their constant cooperation. They would like to acknowledge Karna Chaudhary and Phul Kumari Chaudhary for their continuing support and help during the fieldwork; without it, the study would not have been possible.

The Chinese team gives their sincere thanks to the Guangxi-based social and gender analysis team and to all the farmers from the two seed villages for their great contribution and commitment to the research. They also appreciate the support received from IDRC and from CCAP to carry out the work. Specifically, they thank Ronnie Vernooy, Liz Fajber, Qunying Pan, Bailing Huang and Chengfang Liu for their support throughout the project period. They also thank the other five case study teams for sharing their experiences during the learning process.

The Viet Nam team expresses deep gratitude to all the individuals and institutions who helped in the research. Special thanks go to IDRC for its financial support, guidance and advice. They also thank the Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry for its encouragement and administrative assistance. The research could not have been realized without the cooperation and help of the farmers and officials of Hong Ha and Huong Nguyen communes, as well as the extensionists from the Rural Development Department of A Luoi District and Extension Centre of the province. It is a pleasure to thank all members of the research team for their cooperation and for sharing their experience.

The Mongolian team notes that their collaborative research is a pioneering effort in which voices and aspirations of women herders have been included in the study and in the co-management arrangements for better pasture use. They thank, bayarlalaa, Ronnie Vernooy, Liz Fajber, John Graham and Hein Mallee from IDRC for their valuable comments and timely contribution and support for the organization of the Second Social and Gender Analysis International Learning Stories Meeting in Ulaanbaatar in 2003. They also thank all the local women's groups and representatives of the local governments in Lun, Khotont and Deluin sums for their cooperation during the study.

Document(s) 2 of 12