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.
Mmbaga, W.D.S. (author), Peuse, H. Gene (author), and Peuse: College of Applies Sciences, Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL; Mmbaga: Department of Economics, The Institute of Development Management/Mzumbe, Morogoro, Tanzania
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1987
Published:
UK
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 81 Document Number: C04860
Green, D.A.G. (author), Maddock, Nicholas (author), and Green: Department of Agricultural Economics, The University of College of Wales, Dyfed, UK; Maddock: Project Planning Centre for Developing Countries, University of Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1987
Published:
UK
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 82 Document Number: C04881
Maxwell, Daniel G. (author / Extension and Adult Education, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY) and Extension and Adult Education, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1987
Published:
UK
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 82 Document Number: C04882
