Phase 2, INTERPAKS, The evolution of socio-economic thought concerning the diffusion of innovations started with a debate about the relative importance of social and economic factors in the adoption of hybrid corn and hybrid sorghum in the United States during the 1928-1941 period. Sociologists and economists agreed that an array of factors, not too well understood, and varying from one farm and farm area to another, stimulate adoption. The literature on the Green Revolution of the 1960's added new dimensions to the debate by considering not only adoption and production, but a host of other conditions such as markets and income distribution. The very nature of the adoption process tends to favor early adopters with favorable social and economic characteristics. Those less fortunate fall behind because they are unable to assume the added production costs and the risks associated with the potentially higher returns from the new technology. These new findings point to the necessity of formulating technological packages based on integrated socio-economic research where the entire decision environment of the farmer is considered.
Onazi, O.C. (author / Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria) and Division of Agricultural Colleges, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1982-03
Published:
UK
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 75 Document Number: C03877
James F. Evans Collection; INTERPAKS, Examines the role of the extension specialist in facilitating the flow of research results to farmers and obtaining feedback of farmers' problems for use in research. Refers to Northern Nigeria. Emphasizes that research in agriculture is of little value unless the results reach the users and are effectively utilized by farmers. Notes that the concept and organization of an extension and research liaison service to facilitate the two-way research feedback flow is necessary. Extension specialists' responsibilities are identified. The need for improving information in Northern Nigeria is based on the fact that agricultural research and output in that country is probably twenty years ahead of the farmer. Yet, after nearly two decades of experience with an appreciably improved extension service, the country has not attained the goals and objectives of a sustained economic growth in the agricultural sector.
Phase II, Raises several questions about prevailing conception of adopters and adoption behavior. Specifically, the author argues that research has failed to take into account variations in farming environments, natural physical parameters, and the social organization of resources as factors influencing peasant farmers' adoption behavior. More attention ought to be given to the location specific constraints, characteristics and requirements of specific technologies, and to the general issue of whether identical technologies are equivalent innovations in different agro-climatic environments. Drawing on data from several villages in Nepal, the author shows that rates of adoption are location specific, that is, influenced more by agro-climatic conditions and socioeconomic organization than by inter-village differences in propensity to innovate. Ecological suitably and varying levels of farm resources have a direct effect on technology utilization.
