Reflections on dealing with “wicked”problems
when developing sustainable land use.
Johan Bouma
Em.professor of soil science
Wageningen University
The Netherlands
Chair advisory cie TRANSFORUM
project.
Frustrated by the apparent inability of the research
community to contribute to sustainable
development of society, ( the “Knowledge
Paradox”) the Dutch Government in 2004
allocated 800 million euro’s in innovative bottomup research on a number of themes, including
agriculture. The latter TRANSFORUM program (
60 million euro’s) initiated projects based on
questions from the field.
Here we will share some lessons learned.
When striving for sustainable agriculture and landuse, “wicked” problems have to be overcome.
Such problems are complex and messy. There are
no clear definitions nor simple solutions. Various
stakeholders have different frames of reference,
ideas, values and interests:
E = entrepreneurs ( e.g. farmers, bankers etc)
G = government officials ( national, local)
N = NGO’s ( non governmental organizations and
citizen groups).
The key question for stakeholders is:
“What’s in it for me?”
Also: don’t necessarily believe what they say or
write but:
“ Find out what they really think”( most effective
over a drink)
Research ( K) cannot take its traditional approach:
define a problem, do research, solve the problem,
move on and pass implementation on to others.
But if too many research reports wind up on a
dusty shelve ( the “Knowledge Paradox”) , the
research community faces a problem with society
where the information revolution creates a different
type of stakeholder. “Research as a hobby”
So what to do? Be more involved but guard
scientific quality!
One key lesson of Transforum: don’t consider
cities seperate from rural areas. Their interests
coincide, we talk therefore about:
Metropolitan Agriculture
(different from Urban Agriculture)
THREE LESSONS FROM TRANSFORUM
1. Find out what K, E,N, and G partners really want.
What are their values and goals? Strive for
connected value development.
2. Be patient: take time for c.v.proposition, to be
followed by c.v. creation (business plan) and c.v.
capture. Only capture will convince!
3. Find out who is most interested and persistant in
obtaining results. Find:”champions”. Also find a
committed knowledge broker who can facilitate
processes and keep things moving along. Most
likely member of K or E. Extension 2.0!
Note: of the 30 practical projects, only 12 had
“capture”.
Sustainable land use in a 50000ha national landscape (Northern Frisian
Woodlands), with conflicting agricultural, ecological, societal and legal
interests. Entrepreneurs ( 800 farmers) were most persistant.
New Mixed Farm: C2C approach, integrating cattle, pig and chicken
farms and greenhouses. Economic, societal and legal problems.
Entrepreneurs were most persistant.
Green Farms: work on the farm to cure (psychiatric and drug)
patients. Helps solve major societal problem, but medical questions
remain. Major impulse for innovative medical research! Now 800
farms. Entrepreneurs were most persistant, later also the medical
community.
Tacit knowledge ( K1-2 ) is very important next to scientific knowledge
(K3-K5). Close the knowledge chain and use it both ways!!
THREE LESSONS FROM TRANSFORUM
1. Find out what K, E,N, and G partners really want.
What are their values and goals? Strive for
connected value development and define a
common goal.
2. Be patient: take time for c.v.proposition, to be
followed by c.v. creation (business plan)and c.v.
capture. Only capture will convince!
3. Find out who is most interested and persistant in
obtaining results. You need:”Champions”. Also find
a committed knowledge broker who can facilitate
processes and keep things moving along. Most
likely member of K or E. Extension 2.0!
Two relevant publications
• Bouma, J. 2010. Implications of the knowledge
paradox for soil science. Advances in Agronomy
106: 143- 171 . Academic Press, USA.
• Bouma, J., A.C.van Altvorst, R.Eweg,
P.J.A.M.Smeets and H.C.van Latesteijn. 2011. The
role of knowledge when studying innovation and
the associated wicked sustainability problems in
agriculture. Advances in Agronomy 113:285-314.
Academic Press, USA.