Study stresses need to use results of scientific research

The success of scientific research lies also in efforts made to support "uptake efforts", meaning the successful adoption of the results in relevant fields, says a recent study.

The study has also found that there is a need, while engaged in research studies, to integrate uptake efforts in the planning stage.

Billions of dollars are spent every year on scientific research for noble causes such as lifting people out of poverty and caring for the environment -- sometimes successfully and sometimes not.

The study by the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and International Water Management Institute (IWMI) has identified what is critical in leading to the successful adoption of scientific research results.

Ten case studies were selected to identify and analyse uptake efforts from some of the most significant successes, led by IWMI, a research organisation focused on water for agricultural development.

These case studies were from nine countries and covered a wide range of issues like sustainable use of wetlands to technologies for better on-farm water management, and restoring the quality of drinking water after the tsunami, said a statement by ICRISAT here Monday.

"The study recognised that research organisations need to support uptake efforts and approaches," noted Jeremy Bird, director general, IWMI.

"These need to be built into the research planning stage. This is why IWMI created new positions, especially to focus on the uptake of the scientific research results. However, it was important to integrate the uptake efforts into our research and not to treat this as a separate activity," he said.

"We see it as important not to place a barrier between scientific research and the uptake-development efforts. The two need to work together, which means building relationships for partnering for uptake," said William Dar, director general, ICRISAT, an international scientific research organisation focused on research for development.

"The study showed the importance of relationships not always being project-based, but long-term strategic commitments. It was also recognised that this requires time, resources and guidance given to scientists to nurture relationships - something which ICRISAT strongly supports," Dar said.

IWMI and ICRISAT are two of the 15 international agricultural research for development centres that form part of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food-secure future.