Level Of Farmer Participation Research Articles

Farm level rainwater harvesting across different agro climatic regions of India: Assessing performance and its determinants

Rainwater harvesting and its utilization have a very important role to play in harnessing the production potential within dryland systems. This study assesses the performance of small rainwater harvesting structures (farm-ponds) in 5 major rainfed states of India over the period 2009–2011 using data from multiple sources and stakeholders. Rainwater which is harvested using structures of varying types and sizes was used for either supplemental irrigation or recharging open-wells. In many cases, the farm level rainwater harvesting structures were highly effective for rainfed farming and had a multiplier effect on farm income. In some situations however, it was viewed by farmers as a waste of productive land. The use of farm ponds in Maharashtra, for example, resulted in a significant increase in farm productivity (12–72%), cropping intensity and consequently farm income. In the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, farm pond water was profitably used for supplemental irrigation to mango plantations, vegetables or other crops and animal enterprises with net returns estimated to be between US$ 120 and 320 structure−1annum−1. Despite such examples, the adoption of the farm ponds was low, except in Maharashtra. A functional analysis of the reasons for high adoption of water harvesting structures indicated that factors such as technical support, customized design, level of farmer participation, age, existing ownership of open wells, annual rainfall and household assets were the major determinants of performance of farm-level rainwater harvesting structures. Based on this countrywide analysis, different policy and institutional options are proposed for promoting farm-level rainwater-harvesting for dryland agriculture.

Redefining the Ivorian Smallholder Cocoa Farmer's Role in Qualitative Research: From Passive Contributions to Passionate Participation

Provider and researchers from the University of Cocody in Abidjan were faced with the challenge of adapting a user-centered approach to qualitative research endeavors in Cote d’Ivoire. Our cross-cultural team with expertise from multiple disciplines developed a novel approach for the cocoa sector. In observations, interviews, and co-creation groups with cocoa farmers, we explored concepts of success, productivity, and profitability both orally and visually. The resulting quality and level of farmer participation was enhanced, therefore improving research results.

Public Participation in Reforestation (Case at Gunungkidul Regency, Yogyakarta Special Province)

Popular participation is a determinant indicator of reforestation. The important of it is due to the fact, that the people who will take the conservation innovation, adopt the technology, and bear the impact of conservation. However, there are many cases indicate the failure of reforestation project because of low popular participation. In this regard, this research is conducted to expose spatially the people knowledge, perception, and participation on reforestation. This research is carried out in the Gunungkidul district employing survey method primary data is collected from 180 rspondents are households who as participant of reforestation project, and household who are classified as self sufficient. The respondent sample is selected on the basis of stratified random sampling, according to physiography and the existing of forestation programme of the area. Three villages sample selected in this research are 1) Tegalrejo, in the physiography of Baturagung Range; 2) Gedangrejo, in the physiography of Wonosari Plateau; 3) Banjarejo, in the physiography of Gunungsewu Mountain. The measurement of people knowledge, perception, and participation on reforestation is performed through Likert Scale technique. Data analysis makes use of tabulation statistic technique espeially t test, variance, and rank correlation.The result of research shows that most people gain the reforestation knowledge from Foresty Extension Service or RLKT, whereas the knowledge of the larger part of self sufficient household comes from village officers. Though the category of their degree of knowledge are high, however there are quiet different according to physiography area. This fact determines the level of popular participation in the perspective physiography unit. It means that the higher the degree of knowledge on reforestation leads to the higher the perception on forestation. Moreover, the different in physiography of the area, or participation in the project determines also the difference in perception. The degree of popular participation on self sufficient reforestation or reforestation project is high. Popular participation is varied to either physiography condition or among participant of reforestation project. Participation of participant of reforestation project is higher than participation of self sufficient group. The difference in the involvement of every reforestation of ativities (planning, implementation, and the use of out come) is a direct consequence of the different in physical as well as socio – economic condition of the community. Physical constraints of up land area, and low level of socio – economic condition, have stimulated popular participation on reforestation. In addition, the level of popular participation is very much influenced by knowledge on reforestation and perception on reforestation. This means that, the higher the knowledge of farmer on implementation and utilization of reforestation and the higher the farmer perception on reforestation programme, then the higher the level of farmer participation on reforestation in eah different physiography.

Management turning-over and participatory management of irrigation schemes: a case study of the Gediz River Basin in Turkey

This paper argues the results of turning-over process in agricultural water management of Turkish agriculture. Water is a common pool resource, although services from this resource can be privately appropriated for production. This common problem, which has arisen during past public interventions, is related to institutional costs and information problems. The best solution was found to be management transfer from the state to users, such as Water User Associations (WUAs), cooperatives, farmer unions, etc. Participation is a process in which stakeholders influence policy formulation, investment choices and management decisions affecting their communities and establish the necessary sense of ownership. This paper is an attempt to determine whether the level of farmer participation in the decision making process has been realized and to make comparison of the irrigation scheme activities by making differentiation between the situation before and after turning-over.

Agricultural research in the face of diversity, local knowledge and the participation imperative: theoretical considerations

In the light of the challenges to formal agricultural research posed by renewed interest in diversity, local knowledge and end-user participation, this paper attempts to provide the beginnings of a theoretical underpinning for the response to repeated calls for greater farmer participation in agricultural research. Two views are explored. First that there is a degree of substitutability between formal and farmers' experiments, with the latter being important in adapting technology to particular local circumstances. Second that there is a potential for synergy from closer integration of formal and farmers' experiments. Empirical data from Africa is used to explore this synergy hypothesis and it is concluded that there is reason to be sceptical of claims for potential synergy. Thus, to make most efficient use of limited formal research resources, as a general rule partially specified technologies should be released to farmers for final specification at as early a stage as possible. Within this general rule, the basic characteristics of the technologies being developed must guide the timing, type and level of farmer participation.

Validating a fertilizer recommendation across a diverse cropping environment

One of the major objectives of on-farm research is to test and refine recommendations coming from controlled research conditions to suit the variable conditions met under farmer circumstances. In developing countries, resources available for agricultural research are limiting. Therefore the challenge is to develop methodologies favouring resource–use efficiency and facilitating relatively fast results. At the same time researchers must take advantage of a high level of farmer participation and sample environmental variables suspected of affecting the technology's performance. In this context, ways in which to deal with variability, both in terms of environment as well as in farmer management, become important. To present lessons learned, this case study describes first relevant aspects of the farming system, a brief history of the problem and the resulting experimental program. For illustration purposes, one year of data is presented in detail. This came from a farmer-implemented, farmer-managed test on urea use (30 kg/ha nitrogen) in rice cultivation based on water harvesting.