Continued innovation in a Cambodian rice-based farming system: farmer testing and recombination of new elements

Abstract

Rice-based farming systems in Cambodia incorporate rainfed lowland rice, dry season rice in some cases, animal production (cattle, pigs, chickens and ducks), fishing (or fish culture) and other activities (such as palm sugar production, vegetable production, wild food collection and trade). Because of the close interaction of these components, a change in any one of them can alter the whole system. The adoption of a modern rice variety (IR66) in the early wet season of the rainfed lowland rice agroecosystem resulted from the interplay of many factors which provided the preconditions that favoured adoption of the new technology. Agricultural innovation was associated simultaneously with adoption (of a product of professional research) and adaptation (by farmers to fit local circumstances) so that emerging opportunities for change could be exploited. The key to this innovation process was experimentation by farmers using novel inputs. Innovation was thus a collaborative process involving sequential learning and social change.