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There is a consensus that the global agrifood systems need to transform. But the concept of transformation—a fairly recent addition to the raft of meanings of adaptation—is not well understood in climate change research and action, let alone in agriculture and food systems. This study critically examines what transformational adaptation means from a global to a local agrifood systems perspective. It aims to contribute to a better understanding of the concept using an emergent research approach that combines complex systems thinking with critical social science perspectives. Drawing on a systematic review of recent global adaptation literature and a multi-scalar field research project in the Philippines from January 2021 to August 2022, the thesis is a compilation of three papers that interrogates the bifurcated and conflicting views on transformational adaptation and the ways to integrate them. The first paper rethinks the incremental-transformational change dichotomy and expands the analytical space with recent evidence of multiple types of transformation. The second paper evaluates the assumptions on large-scale change that underpin the academic discourse on transformational adaptation and reveals how framings and practices of transformation differ across scales in the case of the coconut sector in the Philippines. In the third paper, transformational adaptation is presented not as an outcome waiting to happen but as an ongoing socio-technical pathway situated in historical processes of change; as a result, different pathways of transformation interact, with some entanglements producing new uncertainties and maladaptive outcomes over time. Taken altogether, the research findings suggest that transformational adaptation might be far more inexorable and inescapable than is commonly thought, not all transformations are the same, and the goals and values that undergird their means and outcomes are far from neutral; hence, collective reflexivity and agency is key to know which transformations support more equitable, just, and thriving world agrifood systems. Future research and action should pay attention to adaptive transformations, referring to ongoing social-ecological changes in the deep leverage points—divorced from the ideological underpinnings of adaptation—that constitute the community and societal responses to and the outcomes of the intertwined climatic and non-climatic drivers of change. Faculty, REPS and Administrative Staff Development Program (FRASDP) of the University of the Philippines; University of the Philippines Los Baños Gender Center Research Grants Program; the Gelia Castillo Research in Community Engagements (RICE) Grant of the Philippine Sociological Society; and the University of Guelph Board of Graduate Studies Research Scholarship 2024-04-25

The purpose of this thesis is to explore, from an organisational standpoint, what is currently being done to improve participation and capacity development in rural projects within the Andes. The research is based in grounded theory and qualitative participatory methods. It was conducted through semi-structured interviews in Peru from November 1st, 2022, to November 30th, 2022. Two site visits were performed, including a field visit, and a workshop attendance. Results demonstrate a significant emphasis on decolonisation from international non-government organisations, with a lesser importance placed by local NGOs. Local development workers were more concerned about market protections and the over-arching extractive systemic post-colonial structure. Importantly, the researcher acknowledges his own positionality within the colonial structure and has done his best to promote the voices of the local and Indigenous populations. The study seeks to tell experiences of the local and Indigenous peoples, rather than prescribe a narrative or outside perspective.

Beekeeping has a long history in Sub-Saharan Africa, including the nation of Malawi. However, limited peer reviewed literature is available on beekeeping livelihoods and constraints in Malawi. This study used key informant interviews, household surveys, focus group discussions, and observations to characterize beekeeping operational levels in Malawi, identify constraints, and provide suggestions for building capacity theorized from a Sustainable Livelihoods Approach perspective. The results identified clear differences in capitals between operational levels of independent small holders, commercial beekeepers, association/cooperative, and NGO beekeepers, emphasizing research should clearly identify the operational level. Furthermore, this study found independent Malawians building commercial beekeeping businesses, which is unacknowledged in existing policies and research. In the short-term, building human capital through training programs for all levels of beekeepers is recommended. With respect to enabling beekeeping livelihoods in Malawi, non-governmental organizations need to use an industry driven and participatory approach rather than be oriented to poverty relief. Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) 2023-02-01

This thesis sets out to gain a better understanding of soil health extension in Ontario. This research can contribute to the enhancement of current soil health extension with the goal of improving adoption rates of farming practices. The objectives of this study are met through a qualitative interview process with ten farmer participants and four program coordinator participants. The primary conclusion from this research are that OMAFRA’s use of Knowledge Translation and Transfer (KTT) alone does not capture soil health extension in Ontario. Instead, the multitude of public and private organizations, along with OMAFRA, work in tandem to deliver training and knowledge to Ontario farmers. Further research is also needed into the development of knowledge and adoption for the wait and see group. There is however evidence of pluralism and decentralization within the system of organizations which needs to be addressed to ensure funding is being appropriately allocated. NSERC CREATE Climate Smart Soils

This study used a participatory action research methodology organized around interviews and focus group discussions to examine the dynamics of learning within Society of the Universal Learner (SOUL), a community-based organization operating in Bihar, India. The study found that SOUL was already using a wide range of tools, strategies, and approaches to learn about complex questions related to rural education. The study participants had a strong understanding of system dynamics in relation to village-level education even though they did not explicitly use language and concepts from systems theory. This thesis concludes by presenting a framework that brings together systems thinking with SOUL’s practical experience and which can be used by organizations operating in resource-constrained settings to design or assess learning interventions. Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute 2022-06-30

This thesis is an investigation of Ontario guidance teacher-counsellors’ understanding of the agri-food industry and agricultural careers. In order to feed a global population of 9 billion by 2050, everyone needs to be aware of the career opportunities available in the agri-food industry. Guidance teacher-counsellors influence high school students’ career decisions. A study focused on Ontario was conducted using two online surveys to assess guidance teacher-counsellor’s understanding of the agri-food industry and agricultural careers. Guidance teacher-counselors in Ontario have few continuing education opportunities. They hold undergraduate degrees in different disciplines and teaching accreditations with some further accredited courses at the Masters level. Respondents indicated that they have limited knowledge about the agri-food industry but feel that this is a valuable career path for students to pursue. Continued education through conferences, reading materials, presentations and online courses is recommended. The education system and agricultural organizations can collaborate to support guidance teacher-counsellors.

This thesis is an investigation of how storytelling can be used as a facilitation tool to promote Environmental Education (EE) in formal, informal and non-formal education. It reviews the relevant literature. Key informant interviews were conducted with storytellers and educational specialists to discuss their experiences and perspectives about storytelling. Participants agreed that it is an effective tool to promote EE. Electronic surveys were sent to home-school parents, who reported that storytelling is a useful tool to promote EE and most topics they teach. A focus group to demonstrate how storytelling teaches about EE was developed to evaluate the perception and comments of children and opinions and suggestions of observers in charge of the children of the focus group. The results suggest that storytelling should be used more in schools and public spaces. The study concludes that storytelling should be promoted as an adequate powerful and easy-facilitation tool to develop EE. CONACYT MEXICO