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Technology Generation and Dissemination for Smallholder Farmers in Southern Africa: Experiences and Lessons

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  • Low, A

Abstract

The development of the traditional small-scale farming sector in Namibia will depend on the adoption of relevant productivity-increasing technologies by a majority of farm households. The World Bank has pointed to the difficulties and disappointing record of "harnessing technology" for the benefit of African farmers (IBRD, 1989). The structural adjustment programmes of the 1980s focused on improving incentives for small farmers to adopt improved technology by "getting prices right". But it is now recognised that methods developed to generate and disseminate technology for large-scale commercial farmers need to be adjusted to serve the interests of small resource-poor farmers. This paper reviews the performance of two new approaches (on-farm research (OFR) and training and visit (T&V)) that have been introduced to respond better to the needs of traditional farm households. The experience suggests that adjustments in research approach and extension management could have a bigger impact if more attention is given to integration with other actors in the technology generation and dissemination process.

Suggested Citation

  • Low, A, 1990. "Technology Generation and Dissemination for Smallholder Farmers in Southern Africa: Experiences and Lessons," 1990 Symposium, Agricultural Restructuring in Southern Africa, July 24-27, 1990, Swakopmund, Namibia 183504, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:iaas90:183504
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.183504
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Derek Byerlee & Larry Harrington & Donald L. Winkelmann, 1982. "Farming Systems Research: Issues in Research Strategy and Technology Design," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 64(5), pages 897-904.
    2. Eyerlee, Derek & Harrington, Larry & Winkelmann, Donald L., 1982. "Farming Systems Res:Farm: Issues In Research Strategy And Technology Design," 1982 Annual Meeting, August 1-4, Logan, Utah 279189, American Agricultural Economics Association (New Name 2008: Agricultural and Applied Economics Association).
    3. Jackson, J.C. & Collier, P., 1988. "Incomes, poverty and food security in the communal lands of Zimbabwe," ISS Working Papers - General Series 18766, International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam (ISS), The Hague.
    4. Derek Byerlee & Larry Harrington & Donald L. Winkelmann, 1982. "Farming Systems Research: Issues in Research Strategy and Technology Design," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 64(5), pages 897-904, December.
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