Systems approaches are easier said than done. You still have to make specific choices about specific policies or interventions at specific moments. Systems approaches are helpful descriptively, but I have a harder time finding the prescriptive advantages. I'd love someone to show me examples of how taking a systems approach changed their strategy, plan, investment, intervention, etc. It really should... but how?
Sorry for the delayed response.... I blame the hectic travelling schedule. I agree that it's not easy but we cannot afford not to do it - status quo got us into trouble and status quo will keep us there. I also think it's worth remembering that we've really only started to talk about taking this approach fairly recently - for example, Shamba Centre, which advocates this approach, is only a year old. Having said that, yes I'd also love to see specific examples.
Personally, I've been thinking about taking a systems approach to food for quite a lot longer - even wrote a paper on it (never published) in about 2016. So, I'm open minded about how systems approach can help us make better decisions. But I haven't really seen it just yet. For example - I think taking a human rights approach (right to food, right to livelihood) seems to me to have more actionable and specific interventions. Not that a rights approach has solved all the problems, but, to me, it's a clearer case.
Need more research on food systems in Burma. As climate change starts kicking in, and the country reels from coup and counter-coup, food security is going to be a huge challenge.
Thanks Ashley! Also pls just call me Thin. Still not used to being called Sayama.
And we definitely need more research on food systems in Burma. I'm particularly keen to know if/how historical bias and governments' support towards rice cultivation may have affected our diets, health, and soils. And I'm saying this as a rice lover!
Systems approaches are easier said than done. You still have to make specific choices about specific policies or interventions at specific moments. Systems approaches are helpful descriptively, but I have a harder time finding the prescriptive advantages. I'd love someone to show me examples of how taking a systems approach changed their strategy, plan, investment, intervention, etc. It really should... but how?
Sorry for the delayed response.... I blame the hectic travelling schedule. I agree that it's not easy but we cannot afford not to do it - status quo got us into trouble and status quo will keep us there. I also think it's worth remembering that we've really only started to talk about taking this approach fairly recently - for example, Shamba Centre, which advocates this approach, is only a year old. Having said that, yes I'd also love to see specific examples.
Personally, I've been thinking about taking a systems approach to food for quite a lot longer - even wrote a paper on it (never published) in about 2016. So, I'm open minded about how systems approach can help us make better decisions. But I haven't really seen it just yet. For example - I think taking a human rights approach (right to food, right to livelihood) seems to me to have more actionable and specific interventions. Not that a rights approach has solved all the problems, but, to me, it's a clearer case.
Many thanks Sayama. Such an important article.
Need more research on food systems in Burma. As climate change starts kicking in, and the country reels from coup and counter-coup, food security is going to be a huge challenge.
Thanks Ashley! Also pls just call me Thin. Still not used to being called Sayama.
And we definitely need more research on food systems in Burma. I'm particularly keen to know if/how historical bias and governments' support towards rice cultivation may have affected our diets, health, and soils. And I'm saying this as a rice lover!
Very interesting.
I'm doing research with KNU on changes in precipitation and temperature, impacts on agriculture, and local adaptationsin the 7 Districts.
'Quick and dirty' research, so at least we have some sort of baseline.
Just getting started.
I sent you my book on Conflict, Complexity and Climate Change in Burma since the Coup?
https://rcsd.soc.cmu.ac.th/publications/conflict-complexity-climate-change/
All the best, Ashley