AGRICOLA IND 89035615, We explore the relationship between adoption of farm technology and labor availability in Africa. We use a case study of the introduction of a high-yielding variety of maize in an area of Zambia to examine the different aspects of the relationship between adoption and labor availability/mobilization. The research is based on an intensive 15-month study of 23 maize farmers, survey data from 240 of their farm workers, and data collected from an ongoing integrated rural development project. The data illustrate that the shift to hybrid maize requires additional labor. farmers' inability to mobilize additional labor results in partial adoption and various compromises in the performance of recommended practices. The labor survey reveals that despite farmers' preferences for hiring older workers and female labor, children are extensively employed because of their availability. We conclude by illustrating the need for adoption research that takes the broader farming environment into account.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C17119
Notes:
Pages 249-253 in Gwyn E. Jones and Maurice J. Rolls (eds.), Progress in rural extension and community development, Volume 1, Extension and rural advantage in rural development. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester. 336 pages.
Agunga, Robert A. (author / Ohio State University), Kimball, Mary (author), and Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education
Format:
conference papers
Publication Date:
1997-03-04
Published:
Zambia
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 133 Document Number: C20296
Notes:
Burton Swanson Collection, Section I; from "1997 conference papers : Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education", 13th Annual Conference, 3, 4, 5 April 1997, Arlington, Virginia
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 95 Document Number: C07486
Notes:
cited reference, In: The role of extension services in national development. Lusaka, Zambia: National Council for Scientific Research, May 1984. p. 12-18