One of AHI's core social science research themes has been on strengthening local institutions and equity. Research on the theme has included both empirical research to understand the current situation and target intervention strategies, as well as action-based research designed to generate models for how institutional and social causes of poverty and natural resource degradation can be overcome.

A number of strategies to enhance social inclusion and awareness in agricultural R&D have been developed and tested in AHI benchmark sites. These include strategies to enhance the inclusion of women, the resource poor, youth and other marginalized groups in problem identification, technology selection and testing, farmer institutional development, and monitoring and evaluation. They have also included approaches for strengthening farmer institutions to better articulate their demands and access services. Finally, research in this theme has looked at the influence of local institutions and policies in enabling more equitable outcomes from development and more sustainable use of natural resources. Lessons and methods emerging from research on this theme may be found in the AHI Publication Series (AHI Briefs, Working Papers and Technical Series).

	subthemes:		Gender and Equity Social "Infrastructure" for Development and NRM Local Policies and Institutions