Institution: University of California, Berkeley
E-mail: Agroeco3@nature.berkeley.edu
Biosummary:
Education: Ph.D. l979 University of Florida; Entomology Major, Pest Management Minor. M.S. l976. National University of Colombia; Agroecology Major. B.S. l974. University of Chile; Agronomy Major.
Present positions: 9/80-present: Associate Professor and Associate Entomologist, Center for Biological Control, Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley.
9/89-present: Technical Advisor, Latin American Consortium on Agroecology and Development (CLADES). Santiago, Chile.
9/93-present: General Coordinator, United Nations Development Programme's Sustainable Agriculture Networking and Extension Programme (SANE).
11/96-present: Chairman NGO Committee of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)
Teaching interests: Biological control of pests, insect ecology, plant-insect interactions, agricultural ecology, weed ecology and management. Ecological and socioeconomic dimensions of small farm development. Sustainable rural development in Latin America.
Research interests: Effects of vegetational diversity on insect pest populations and associated natural enemies in agroecosystems. Biological control of insects and weeds in agroecosystems. Design of biodiversified pest stable agroecosystems. Studies on the ecological features and management of traditional and modern agroecosystems. Development of sustainable integrated farming systems for resource-poor farmers. In-situ conservation of crop genetic resources. Conservation and management of biodiversity in agroecosystems.
Title: "Designing a natural resource management strategy for poor farmers in marginal environments"
Theme: 3E
Poor farmers in marginal and/or fragile environments confront constraints ranging from biophysical limitations to lack of access to good land, capital, markets or modern technology. Technological options that increase agricultural productivity while conserving/regenerating the resource base of small farms must be accessible, cheap and based on local technical knowledge and local inputs. The challenge for scientists is to design through truly participatory approaches an NRM strategy that is economically viable, socially just, environment-health and nutrition enhancing, with empowering effects on local communities. Strong research partnerships linked to grassroots organizations as well as favorable policies will be essential for such NRM strategy to flourish.