Machila, Noreen (author), Emongor, Rosemary (author), Shaw, Alexandra P. (author), Welburn, Susan C. (author), McDermott, John (author), Maudlin, Ian (author), and Eisler, Mark C. (author)
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
2007-05
Published:
Kenya: Elsevier
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 161 Document Number: D07794
9 pages, In agricultural research for development adoption of new technology tends to be cast in categories: adoption, partial adoption, dis-adoption or non-adoption. While these may serve for pragmatic classification and measures for project success or impact they fail to properly acknowledge the ongoing and independent efforts of farmers (and others) in experimentation and integration of knowledge across a range of sources. This paper explores responses to practices for cattle management introduced during a research project, at project close, and five years after the project has finished. We consider the perceptions and application of new knowledge by farmers, extension staff, and policy makers. By taking a longer-term view, we demonstrate how farming households adapt and integrate knowledge from different sources into their daily practice, influenced by local institutions and changing cultural expectations, as well as external researchers. We also consider the influence of changing government priorities and incentives in steering farm-management decisions. Results suggest that a focus on measures to build capacity and empower farmers with information to adapt and respond to change, regardless of project activities, is a much more important goal and indicator of impact than measuring adoption.
Via online issue obtained from aginfo@farmjournal.com. 3 pages., Author reports on efforts for closer integration among the cow-calf, stocker, and feeding sectors of the beef industry. The article describes efforts of feedlot veterinarians affiliated with the Production Animal Consultation (PAC) to develop a plan to share data, experiences, ideas, and outcomes. "PAC now has 35 veterinary members in 14 states and two international countries, along with staff to assist in information technology, data collection, research and communications."
