Systematic client consultation in development: The case of food policy research in Ghana, India, Kenya and Mali

Too often the knowledge generated through food policy research does not bec ome part of the local body of information and consequently is not used by p olicymakers. This leads to less than optimal food policies. Our paper highl ights the need for better linkages between the food research and food polic ymaking processes. We propose that a key component of the linkage is the in tegration of clients into the research process. This paper discusses the li nk between food policy researchers and one group of clients-food policy dec isionmakers. The paper first reviews the role of research and clients in th e policymaking process and proposes a conceptual framework that integrates clients into the research process. Case studies utilizing client consultati on in Ghana, India, Kenya, and Mall illustrate the hypothesis that integrat ion of all client groups, including policy decisionmakers and in-country re searchers, beginning at the priority-setting stage of the research process, may best influence ultimate policy decisions. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Lt d. All rights reserved.