SFIAR Interview
With a fixed set of questions, this series asks Swiss participants in Agricultural Research for Development for insights into their current work and thinking
Interview No 6 / February 2012
Manfred Grossrieder,
Integrated Crop Management Advisor,
CABI, Switzerland
What are your profession and thematic focus?
I am currently working as an Agricultural Advisor for CABI, an inter-governmental not-for-profit organization that provides information and applies scientific expertise to solve problems in agriculture and the environment. Personally, I am very interested in the possibilities of the application of knowledge transfer and capacity building to complex topics such as sustainable agriculture. This might be influenced by my earlier profession (teacher).
How would you explain to a child, what you are currently working on?
I am trying to help farmers to produce more food without using more water, more fertilizer or more pesticides. In the countries I work in, I am trying to find the right people: farmers, scientists, politicians, teachers in agriculture etc. Together, we try to find ways to produce more and then make sure that everyone knows about it.
What / who influenced you in choosing your career?
I first trained to become a teacher. Whilst teaching, my interest in natural sciences increased. This led me to study ecology, during which time I realized that more applied work was of interest to me. At some point I became aware that I had not made the wrong choices, I just needed to combine all the disciplines. I was influenced by the career itself, I suppose…
Which is the most important lesson you have learnt from your work?
Ensuring that there is enough time to (or better: I need to be patient enough to) identify the right people for joint projects, making them first communicate with each other and later finding solutions together.
Which is the most memorable intercultural experience you have had?
This is in my case a quite ambiguous experience in Pyongyang, visiting the mausoleum and somehow feeling forced to display sadness about the place and pay homage to an embalmed ex-leader. In the long run, experiencing this helped me a lot to understand – not only with my head – what the people in this country are exposed to. Feeling and understanding this pressure was an important prerequisite to improve the project work with the Korean partners.
If you had 1Mio Euro: In what kind of project would you invest?
This would go in the direction I currently try to work: using biological control of insect pests in a relevant crop as an entry point from which the farmer directly benefits. Stakeholders and partnerships built around the technical question set the stage for exchange and capacity building of all involved.
In your opinion, what are the main obstacles for rural development?
I prefer to think about the main obstacles in my project world, since this is currently the only world where I can try to influence things. I often feel that there is not enough time to embed the changes that could be achieved into the local communities and local government structures. Another issue is the somewhat difficult relationship between agricultural education, research, extension and policy. I often encounter a lack of functional mechanisms to link them together to solve common problems.
Interview No 5 / November 2011
Yuan Zhou,
Head of Research and Policy Analysis,
Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture
What are your profession and thematic focus?
Our Foundation focuses on improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in developing countries. I work primarily on research and policy analysis in international agriculture and food security.
How would you explain to a child, what you are currently working on?
Our goal is to help small farmers grow their plants well and sell the extra food at a good price. The money they earn lets them live a better life, and also pays for their children to go to school. How do we do that? We help farmers to get good seeds and other inputs they need and show them some ways to farm better. Grown-ups call that “access to agricultural inputs and extension, and better links to markets”.
What / who influenced you in choosing your career?
My interests have led the direction of my career. I relate well to farmers as I grew up in a rural environment and used to help in the field. I know the difficulties and challenges farmers in developing countries are facing, and I want to be part of the solution. Above all, I am passionate about farming and agricultural resources management.
Which is the most important lesson you have learnt from your work?
I believe that the right attitude and the ability to understand and respect other cultures are a key factor for success in our work. Forming productive partnerships with local institutions and working together closely in each different setting are crucial for generating real impact on the ground and ensuring project sustainability.
Which is the most memorable intercultural experience you have had?
My most intense intercultural experience was during my studies at the UNESCO-IHE Institute. My classmates and I came from a wide range of cultures, backgrounds and countries, and yet we ended up with a perfect group and cultural fit after only a year. The breadth and depth of learning and exchange from each other were marvelous.
If you had 1Mio Euro: In what kind of project would you invest?
I would invest in girls’ education, and encourage and fund women to start small businesses in rural areas. Alternatively, I would invest in solving the water crisis in poor rural communities.
In your opinion, what are the main obstacles for rural development?
There are many. The most important are low education levels, poor rural infrastructure (especially transport systems), an underdeveloped agricultural sector, and the lack of good governance and policies. Failure to invest adequately in agriculture and its value chains can hinder poverty alleviation. It also slows the broader process of structural transformation, in which non-farm sectors generate an increasing part of economic output and employment.
Contact Yuan Zhou: 
Interview No 4 / September 2011
Markus Bürli,
Deputy Head of the Global Programme
Food Security at SDC
What are your profession and thematic focus?
I am currently the Deputy Head of the Global Programme Food Security at SDC. Our group complements SDC’s bilateral projects in agriculture and rural development with regional and global projects. It assures the Swiss contribution to the strategic steering of the multilateral organizations in the sector (CGIAR, IFAD and UNCCD) and takes care of the global policy dialogue on food security.
How would you explain to a child, what you are currently working on?
Our goal is to contribute to eradicating poverty and hunger. Our work is to influence other organizations with similar mandates worldwide so that they do their work more efficiently. We also work to influence national and international regulations that can help to reduce poverty and hunger.
What / who influenced you in choosing your career?
I grew up on a farm and made the agricultural apprenticeship. After working on several farms in Switzerland I studied at the Swiss College of Agriculture SHL, where my interest in international agriculture grew steadily. The practical training I carried out in Vietnam was definitely the turning point, when I realized that I wanted a job dealing with international agriculture issues.
Which is the most important lesson you have learnt from your work?
A long-term commitment to certain issues is more important than the amount of funds and the number of experts available. The key to get results in this field of work is the willingness to engage in complicated processes and the energy to keep the engagement over a long period. Going through easy and difficult times not only gives credibility and appreciation by the partners but also helps to really change things.
Which is the most memorable intercultural experience you have had?
During my three year assignment as associate expert at the International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA) in Syria, I had the possibility not only to learn a lot from my Syrian and international colleagues but also to develop some important personal relationships. Irrespective of religion or culture, we could very well work together on a common goal and discuss problems openly. Unfortunately, due to the critical situation that Syria is going through, communication has become very difficult and the achievements of our work are challenged.
If you had 1Mio Euro: In what kind of project would you invest?
Somehow this feels like my daily business and the last SFIAR interviews show that there is certainly no single answer to that. I am convinced that money is needed to support nearly any activity towards food security, rural development and poverty reduction. However, to make a real difference money is not enough. Only people, real partnerships and personal commitment can bring the change. An Indian colleague of mine uses a sentence of Mahatma Gandhi to accompany his email signature: “We must be the change we want to see!”
In your opinion, what are the main obstacles for rural development?
Rural people - particularly women and youth - are not heard around the world, but even worse, they are even ignored in the capital cities of their provinces or Countries. Empowering rural people and their organisations is key for rural development and for fighting widespread corruption.
Contact Markus Bürli: 
Interview No 3 / July 2011
Beate Huber,
Head of the International Division at FiBL
What are your profession and thematic focus?
FiBL is a center for research and consultancy in organic agriculture. Our group with its advisory and research mandates, operates mainly in developing and transition countries. Our vision is the development of sustainable systems of farming and nutrition that ensure that all people have access to sufficient food of good quality and at fair prices.
How would you explain to a child, what you are currently working on?
We are working with farmers and traders all over the world to promote organic agriculture. We do this in different ways: by training farmers and trainers, by helping farmers to sell their products for a good price and by cooperating with governments in order to support organic agriculture in their countries. We further conduct research in agriculture for increasing yields and quality of products.
What / who influenced you in choosing your career?
After school I have been working on an organic farm and found the farm live and work so inspiring that I studied agriculture. My first jobs were in the field of marketing and then in certification. My passion is working with people preferably in an intercultural environment. So finally I found the perfect job at FiBL – combining international cooperation with organic agriculture, working in the fields of marketing and certification.
Which is the most important lesson you have learnt from your work?
When you are looking for partners or selecting staff for projects it is not the professional experience that is the key for successful cooperation but the ability for learning, the willingness to take over responsibility, the commitment, and the communication skills. And certainly, a good education is very important.
Which is the most memorable intercultural experience you have had?
During the last years Lebanon suffered from a serious crisis: an internal political and economic crisis was accompanied by the war with Israel in 2006. During the most severe periods the people in Lebanon were desperate and the atmosphere in the country was depressing. But only a few months later, when the situation relaxed, the people were back to their optimism and lust for life. This situation in Lebanon is ongoing – since decades. This was a very impressive experience.
If you had 1Mio Euro: In what kind of project would you invest?
I would invest it in business ideas that support ecological production, e.g. processing units for organic farmers. Such a unit would allow farmers to get better prices for their products and it would create jobs in rural areas. Another option is a training center for organic agriculture and related topics, e.g. in South Eastern Europe or Africa, which would not only provide excellent education but could also become a social focus point.
In your opinion, what are the main obstacles for rural development?
The lack of willingness of the political elite to strengthen rural areas by sharing power and by investing in those areas; the exodus of young and qualified people due to lack of opportunities in rural areas; the lack of infrastructure (streets, trains, airports, harbors, sometimes even internet…).
Interview No 2 / April 2011
Doris Herrmann,
Programme Manager ISCB, EPFL, Lausanne
What are your profession and thematic focus?
I am the Programme Manager of the Indo-Swiss Collaboration in Biotechnology (ISCB). ISCB is a bilateral research and development programme jointly funded and steered by SDC (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Government of Switzerland) and DBT (Department of Biotechnology, Government of India). The programme supports networks of projects with at least one Swiss and one Indian partner in the area of biotechnology in agriculture and environment.
How would you explain to a child, what you are currently working on?
Our objective is on the one hand to further educate Indian researchers and help them to establish/improve their laboratories. On the other hand, we develop products like improved plants that may contribute to making the life of Indian farmers easier.
What / who influenced you in choosing your career?
After working ten years in research, I decided to switch to a more applied work. For me it is important that the outcome of my work goes beyond published research results. My current position gives me the possibility to work in the interesting area of management as well as to apply my research experience.
Which is the most important lesson you have learnt from your work?
The most important factor for the success of a programme is the readiness of the involved partners to contribute more to a project than the tasks defined in their project contracts. I am in the happy situation that currently a lot of such partners are integrated in our programme.
Which is the most memorable intercultural experience you have had?
It may not be one special experience, but more a general impression of India. I am normally not only most welcome at the institute of our project partners, but also often very welcome in their private house. I think this aspect is rarely found in European programs.
If you had 1Mio Euro: In what kind of project would you invest?
There is a long way to go from a promising product developed at a research institute until the product reaches the farmer. I think filling in this gap is very important even though very challenging.
In your opinion, what are the main obstacles for rural development?
I think one obstacle is that a lot of programs or projects are limited to a few years. Although we are working with the same project partners for ten years and we have some very promising products we are further developing in collaboration with private partners, we are still more than one step away from the application of these products at the farm level.
Contact Doris Herrmann and ISCB
Interview No 1 / December 2010
Andres Tschannen,
Country Director, Biopartenaire
What are your profession and thematic focus?
I am a business man now. The company Biopartenaire works for several thousand certified smallholder cocoa farmers in Côte d’Ivoire. My thematic focus is people and teams, finance and business development. Agriculture comes in at all levels, from sustainable farm management, certification, to trading with farmers.
How would you explain to a child, what you are currently working on?
I work with farmers in Africa. They grow cocoa, out of which chocolate is made. Because many of the farmers are very poor and produce little, my company helps them to earn more money and produce more cocoa. We also want to make sure that the farmer’s children can grow cocoa in the future.
What / who influenced you in choosing your career?
After doing a PhD in agriculture and coordinating North-South research for 6 years in Abidjan, I switched to the private sector because I wanted to really create a difference for farmers. I believe that a private sector approach is the most sustainable model. If it pays, it’ll stay, as opposed to a donor-fed NGO approach.
Which is the most important lesson you have learnt from your work?
Here’s a short list: It is people who can change something, not objects or technologies. To create motivation for oneself and for others is what makes things work. It is very difficult to succeed in my mission, but I have to try and try again. I need to take a step back and see the whole thing and remind me, what we want to achieve.
Which is the most memorable intercultural experience you have had?
A good friend of mine, a cocoa grower, believes in witchcraft and once, he told me how to ensure your wife will always love you. I listened to him and then told him my recipe. We agreed that regardless of culture or means, each individual aspires to fulfil a similar set of needs. Isn’t it fantastic?
If you had 1Mio Euro: In what kind of project would you invest?
In my own company. One good idea would be to provide microcredit and technical support to farmers to rehabilitate cocoa fields and plant more shade trees. The outcome is higher yield and very effective poverty reduction, but the effect is long-term. Please write me if you’ve got that million to invest.
In your opinion, what are the main obstacles for rural development?
As I am living in Côte d’Ivoire, the obvious culprits “war/unrest” and “corruption” spring to my mind. On a system level, I would also mention the inconsistence of objectives of donors (short term, sector-focus) and of beneficiaries (livelihood), and the timid support to the private sector.
Contact Andres Tschannen: andres.tschannen@gmail.com
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Former Interviews
No 5: Yuan Zhou
No 4: Markus Bürli
No 3: Beate Huber
No 2: Doris Herrmann
No 1: Andres Tschannen
, Latest update: 01.02.2012