17 pages, via online journal, The greatest challenge now facing agricultural science is not how to increase production overall but how to enable resource-poor farmers to produce more.
The transfer-of-technology (TOT) model of agricultural research is part of the normal professionalism of agricultural scientists. In this model, scientists largely determine research priorities, develop technologies in controlled conditions, and then hand them over to agricultural extension to transfer to farmers. Although strong structures and incentives sustain this normal professionalism, many now recognise the challenge of its bad fit with the needs and conditions of hundreds of millions of resource-poor farm (RPF) families. In response to this problem, the TOT model has been adapted and extended through multi-disciplinary farming systems research (FSR) and on-farm trials. These responses retain power in the hands of scientists. Information is obtained from farmers and processed and analysed in order to identify what might be good for them. A missing element is methods to encourage and enable resource-poor farmers themselves to meet and work out what they need and want.
Byrnes, Kerry J. (author), Claar, John B. (author), Grant,Ulysses J (author), Sussman, Jean (author), and Waugh, Robert K. (author)
Format:
Special Report
Publication Date:
1987-03
Published:
Panama
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: KerryByrnes2 Document Number: D01247
Notes:
Kerry J. Byrnes Collection, Ronco Consulting Corporation, Washington, DC 77 pages, This is a formative evaluation of the Agricultural Technology Development and Agricultural Technology Transfer projects, and an assessment of public sector participation in the generation and transfer of agricultural technology in Panama.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 94 Document Number: C07112
Notes:
food irradiation; food safety, James F. Evans Collection, In: Charles W. Felix (ed), Food Protection Technology. Chelsea, MI: Lewis Publishers, Inc., 1987. p. 55-60
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C21157
Notes:
Pages 341-346 in Neill Schaller (ed.), Proceedings of Phase I Workshop: Social Science Agriculture Agenda Project, Spring Hill Conference Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, June 9-11. 384 pages.
