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
Kozak, Jerry (author / President, National Milk Producers Federation) and National Milk Producers Federation, Arlington, Virginia.
Format:
Commentary
Publication Date:
2008-03
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 176 Document Number: C30200
Notes:
2 pages., Comments on a widely distributed video showing mistreated cattle at a California meat packing plant. Examines the increasing complications of cattle processing and other factors that "haven't really been the focus on the ongoing investigation."
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.