The dryland research project at indore (1974–80) — an institutional innovation in rural technology transfer

Abstract

The problem of how scientific and technical knowledge may best be brought to bear on raising the living standards of the rural poor in developing countries, has become a major world issue. The traditional view is that scientists in research stations establish ‘principles’ which are subsequently articulated in a productive context through a dialogue between extension agents and farmers. This paper explores an alternative model of technology transfer as exemplified by the Indore Dryland Research Project. Here scientists from different disciplines worked directly with farmers in a concerted effort to raise yields per hectare on a catchment area of around 2300 hectares, thus playing a much more direct role themselves while giving extension agencies more of a service function. The paper explores some of the lessons of the Indore experiment, concluding that this type of technology transfer model should be given more prominence in agricultural development planning in poor countries.