An Alternative Approach to Development and Diffusion of Technology for Dry Regions

Ecological variability in dry regions is quite high at a short distance. Developing technologies at the research stations which are suitable for different ecological niches will require a very large number of well dispersed research stations. In addition it will require large facilities for on farm research. Even after that, it is unlikely that scientist will be able to develop repertoire of appropriate ted1nological responses for a vast variety of soil-climate and eco-sociological interactions. After all no two droughts are alike. After interacting with large number of very competent scientists and extension workers, I have reached a conclusion that we need not underestimate the capabilities of dry farmers, artisans and pastoralists. We should aim at transferring the scientific principles underlying some of the traditional technologies along with new derivations so that farmers can recombine available resources into different recipes of technologies. This will require systematic studies of farmers knowledge system and not just the innovations. It will also require recognition of the fact that farmers can not always discover the solutions to their problems using some of the age old tools of analysis. The role of the scientists has thus to be reappraised in the process. Organizational conditions will have to be created for scientists to work with the farmers to develop technologies which may not diffuse very widely. The scientific concepts can diffuse widely. I also argue that The Gospel of Dirty Hand propounded by K M Munshi in 1952 must be recalled if relations between farmers and the scientists have to be reconceptualized. The need for identifying locally rooted philosophical anchors for relating concepts with culture and values of the farmers, pastomlists and the artisans was never higher than to<1ay. Given the resource constraints, there is no case for subsidizing extension machinery in high growth irrigated regions. Farmers must pay for the services they need in these regions. In any case different type of ted1nology transfer system is needed in such regions. The public investment in extension in dry regions is needed but not of the T and V type. The fact that informal knowledge networks are stronger in rainfed regions implies that we can develop an eco-specific model of science transfer which will generate collective solutions. The days of individual oriented technology transfer system are over. Sustainability can be achieved if the ethical and moral basis of knowledge systems in high risk regions are under- stood and built upon. There is no reason why poverty should be highest in the regions where genetic diversity is highest. The entire spectrum of Intellectual Property Rights of people in drought and flood prone regions and hill areas and forest regions has to reconceptualized. Indian scientists and extension workers are competent and can accomplish the challenge of transforming dry land. But will policy makers unlearn the lessons suitable for irrigated regions. And also will they keep World Bank advisors off their back?