Livelihood Systems in Mexico 's Gulf Region: Which are the priority information needs, policies, and programs?
This theme invites analysis of research and information transfer priorities, what are they and what should they be? That is, how do we figure out which information may be the most valuable if "development" (having various definitions) is the objective? Furthermore, which policies and programs are likely to be appropriate to achieve various objectives (even those without much direct linkage to research and extension per se, like trade policy or development projects that largely transfer resources)? Issues include:
- Identification of "development objectives", priority actions or appropriate institutional arrangements. This could be conceived of as an exercise to identify "where we are" compared to "where we want to be" in a wide variety of domains (from "poverty" to specific "nutrient cycling issues in farming systems").
- What information currently exists to help identify research, extension, policy and programmatic priorities in the identified problem areas?
- What actions appear to be priorities based on the current situation and available information, including policies and programs?
- What information is needed to effectively design, implement and monitor the outcomes of any proposed intervention to ensure that the identified objectives are achieved
