Agricultural Technology Transfer Research Articles

Agricultural Extension Approaches Influencing Uptake of Improved Sorghum Technologies in Embu County, Kenya

Agricultural extension and technology transfer services play a vital role in disseminating research knowledge, skills and income generating strategies among the farming communities in Kenya. However, there exists a kind of disconnect between the amount of information and technologies developed in research centres and what is implemented by the farmers. The study evaluated the access and use of extension approaches in promoting uptake of improved sorghum technologies. The study systematically selected 129 farmers from four villages. Data on farmers' gender, age, household leadership, occupation and agricultural extension approaches were collected. The study revealed that 83% of the respondents were female out of which, 67% were engaged in improved sorghum production technologies. Besides, 56% young women (20 to 49 years) had embraced the growing of improved sorghum varieties Gadam and Sila 1. Further, mobile phones and radio services were the main means of access to the improved sorghum technologies. In addition, there was a strong positive correlation (r=0.122, P=0.01) between extension approaches and uptake of the sorghum technologies. Besides government agricultural extension agents, visits to progressive farmers and/or research sites and use of demonstration plots contributed to 68% and influenced uptake of improved sorghum technologies. It was concluded that gender, family position and age of the farmer contribute to the uptake of improved sorghum technologies. Moreover, mobile phones and radio technologies play an important role in access of sorghum technologies.

Assessment of Stress Experienced by Agricultural Input Agent's Dealers

Agricultural sector contributes significantly to sustainable economic development of the country. The sustainable agriculture development of any country depends upon the judicious mix of their available natural resources. Therefore if agriculture goes wrong, it will be really bad for the economy as the falling of agricultural growth not only affects employment but GDP too. India is in process of transforming its agricultural extension and technology transfer systems to become more demand-driven and responsive to farmers’ needs. There is need to develop skill and knowledge on scientific agriculture. Its wide extension system could be visualized through these facts India has second largest extension system in the world in terms of professional and technical staff. The main objectives of the study is: Know the profile of agricultural input agents and stress experienced. The investigator selected two districts in Tamil Nadu, namely Districts are Coimbatore and Erode, in Coimbatore district Coimbatore and Erode district, sathayamangalam block was choose for the research with 40 sample. Data was collected through questionnaire tools. The findings of the study Cent percent of agricultural input agents had bank account, forty percent of them having account in state bank. Eighty percent had saving account and forty three percent having account for business transaction. Seventy five percent were facing stress. Forty percent of them facing occupational stress, whereas thirteen percent agricultural input agents facing stress because of no customers. Seventy five percent of agricultural input agents agree that they used to talk with customers. Followed by input agents agree that they have good manner. Twelve percent input agents agree that they are not satisfied with their works.

Determinants of the utilization of agricultural inputs and transfer of agricultural technologies. A review of literature on agricultural extension model

Determinants of the utilization of agricultural inputs and transfer of agricultural technologies. A review of literature on agricultural extension model

Perceptions of Rice Farmers towards Production Constraints: Case Study of Niger State of Nigeria and Hainan of China

Rice yield is still low in Nigeria despite the ecological advantages. Several challenges has been traced it production. The study intend to investigate if other rice producing nations are faced with similar challenges and at what magnitude and more importantly, what can be learn to improve the rice yield in Nigeria. Based on 2013/2014 survey, a total sample of 400 famers were randomly interviewed; 164 from Niger State of Nigeria and 236 from Hainan province of China. The study collate the perception of farmers to rice production constraints categorized into biotic, abiotic and socioeconomics. Biplot analysis was employed to examine multivariate pattern of their perceptions towards production constraints. The multivariate technique simultaneously displaying different yield levels and factor constraints in data matrix providing the inter-unit distances, variance and correlations of variables. According to the study, Niger state farmers identified socioeconomic constraint as the major factors to production and attributed it to lack of or insufficient investment while the Hainan farmers majorly identified abiotic constraints. The study also indicated that great potential remain to further improve rice yield in both regions especially in Nigeria given the appropriate investment on essential inputs. This study is of great use to extension officers more so, given the investment in Africa, policy makers take advantage of the bilateral and multilateral relationship to invest ease transfer of agricultural information and technologies between or among partners.

Strategies for White and Yellow Maize Cultivar Improvement Research and Technology Transfer in Mexico

The Mexican federal government recently implemented a program to increase Mexico's maize (Zea mays L.) production through development and diffusion of technological packages incorporating improved seed cultivars. The initiative is known as MasAgro, Modernización Sustentable de la Agricultura Tradicional (i.e., Program of Sustainable Modernization of Traditional Agriculture). Mexico's diverse maize production sector requires research and technology transfer of white and yellow maize produced under rainfed and irrigated conditions by both traditional and commercially oriented farmers. A spatial and intertemporal Mexican maize sector model was formulated to assess three strategies for targeted cultivar development and optimized spatial distribution of maize production to improve Mexico's food security. Information by state and production season for average years 2008 to 2010 was used to obtain the model solution. Information and data for the model came from secondary sources, primarily Mexican government institutions. Research results provide guidance for Mexico's agricultural research and technology transfer efforts. Mexico's potential maize production was estimated, and strategies that consider distribution logistics and domestic maize consumption were compared. Results indicate that Mexico's potential maize production is 29.34 million Mg, or 95.1% of the average annual Mexican maize consumption between 2008 and 2010. The three maize sector planning strategies evaluated had higher social welfare values than the actual maize sector conditions in the baseline period 2008 to 2010. Thus, there are significant opportunities for agricultural research and technology transfer to improve Mexico's well‐being using integrated maize sector planning that includes targeted cultivar development and customized technology transfer for different regions, crop water conditions, and farmers.

Developing linkages for agricultural technology transfer: A case study of research institution and voluntary organization partnership

A paradigm shift to the private and voluntary organizations led extension is being witnessed as the public agricultural extension system has been adversely affected by various constraints. ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) a premier agricultural research institution took lead to develop linkages with voluntary organizations (VOs) of repute for speedy transfer of agricultural technologies to the ultimate users. The present study was conducted on randomly selected 120 farmers of Patiala district to analyze the effectiveness of IARI linkage with VO namely Young Farmers' Association (YFA) of Punjab state. The advisory services through IARI-YFA linkage, higher yield of IARI released varieties, social participation of farmers and their education were the major determinants for the adoption of IARI varieties. In case of both rice and wheat, IARI varieties were sown in more than 60% area of the total land holdings of the farmers. Although, the linkage was perceived highly effective in terms of the delivery of farm technologies, advisory services, farm literature supplied, farmers' fair, front line demonstrations, impact on yield and income of farmers and satisfaction of farmers but non-availability of seeds in desired quantity, higher seed cost and less land for seed multiplication were major inhibiting factors. The functional efficacy of linkage may be enhanced through close collaboration of state level government and private agencies for broad based, inclusive and sustainable agricultural development.

Integration of tractor and combines industry with automotive industry as a strategy to reduce rural poverty in Mexico

In Mexico, the transfer of agricultural technology has been a process hampered for several reasons, due to which subsistence agriculture was dependent on animal traction and human power. Despite the introduction of tractors and harvesters that have been imported and in some cases assembled in the country, with a percentage of domestic components, their adoption has been exploited only in medium and large-sized agricultural enterprises by farmers engaged in commercial agriculture, neglecting smallholders. Mexico is a major exporter of tractors in the segment of medium power and a leader in the automotive industry, but the country has high levels of poverty with low productivity in agriculture. The country can become a leader in the manufacture of tractors in the segments of low power, harvesters and power tillers. Manufacturing industry of these goods should not be treated as a separate sector, as has happened to date, but should be integrated into the automotive industry. If low power tractors, tractor powered harvesters and power tillers are made available at affordable prices for small land holders, it can contribute immensely in agricultural growth in the country and would reduce rural poverty. In this paper current status of the assembly of tractors, harvesters and automotive industry in Mexico is detailed, finally discussing the objective of integration of these industries and its benefits for the agricultural and manufacturing sector.

The Role of Farmer Field Schools Approach in Improving Tea Production among Smallholding in Kenya

Tea production, processing and marketing in Kenya is under management of two sectors. The two sectors include; Kenya Tea Development Agency which manages approximately six hundred thousand small scale farmers and multi-nationals sector for example Uniliver/Lipton teas, James Finlay's and George Williamson holdings manage privately plantations and estates of tea. The volume and frequency of plucking tea leaves enhances net revenue for small scale tea farmers in Kenya. The main objective was to determine the role of Farmer Field Schools extension approach and eventual outcome tea production among small scale farmers in Kenya. The study assessed the trends and the influence of Farmer Field Schools (FFS) approach in addressing productivity of tea leaves. The study employed descriptive statistics and mean trends analysis to determine the influence of FFS in tea production. The study sites were six sub locations of tea growing areas. The sites were purposively since they were pilot areas where the initial farmer field schools were collaboratively initiated by Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) and Uniliver/Lipton teas for enhancement of tea production. The study gathered primary data from sampled tea farmers by use of structured questionnaires. Secondary data was sourced from the KTDA archives records. Research findings revealed a positive trend in green tea leaf production and as well as revenue. Further, it was revealed that social positive effects such as farmers willingness to participate in group activities and sustainable tea husbandry, promotion of self-mobilization and interactive participation enhanced tea production. The positive economic-agricultural productivity effects were; the transfer and adoption of agricultural technologies particularly in tea growing that enhanced revenue, increased access to knowledge and agricultural information.

Training needs ofKrishi input dealers for transfer of agricultural technology in eastern Rajasthan

of agricultural technology in Sawi-Madhopur, Khandar, Chouth Ka Barwada and Bonli tehsils of Sawi-Madhopur district and Deoli, Tonk, Malpura and Uniara tehsils of Tonk district of Eastern Rajasthan. From each district 20 input dealers were selected randomly for the study to comprise the total sample of 160 respondents. The data were collected with the help of well constructed and pre-tested interview schedule. Knowledge of the respondents was measured by computing knowledge score. There were three major areas of Krishi inputs like seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. Out of 160 respondents only 10 per cent were having high knowledge, 74.37 per cent were having medium knowledge and 15.63 per cent respondents were having low knowledge level. Training needs of Krishi inputs dealers were measured by computing training need score. The training area regarding input categories were divided into three sub-areas with the help of experts from respective field, each input category had nine sub-areas. These areas were rated by the respondents on a three point rating scale as “most needed”, “needed” and “not needed”. All Krishi input daelers (100.00 %) perceived training needs in sub-areas of seed as type of seeds, germination power of seeds, viability of seeds and improved varieties or hybrids of crops included in first rank. All respondents (100.00 %) perceived training needs in sub-areas of fertilizer as type of fertilizers, content of fertilizer, fertilizer application methods, calculation of fertilizer dose, bio-fertilizer included in first rank. Similarly all Krishi input dealers (100.00 %) perceived training needs in sub-areas of pesticides, calculation of pesticide dose/ ha, major pests of crops, pest control by proper pesticides included in first rank.

A Study on the Identification of Modern Agricultural Technologies: Adopted at Farm Level and Their System of Transfer in the State of Biharitle (बिहारिटल राज्य में कृषि स्तर और उनके स्थानांतरण की प्रणाली पर आधुनिक कृषि प्रौद्योगिकियों की पहचान पर एक अध्ययन)

English Abstract: We noticed low level of monitoring of agricultural development projects. Progress reports of different agricultural projects are prepared by implementing unit which is considered as monitoring of the scheme. Beneficiaries are not involved in monitoring of agricultural projects since it is considered the domain of officials only. It is important to understand that monitoring is not an individual’s function but a collective function. When all stake holders, including beneficiaries are involved in monitoring, then it paves way for participatory monitoring. Inadequate staff emerged as the most important constraint in monitoring of agricultural development projects, closely followed by infrequent visit of villages, lack of conveyance facility, and poor co-ordination among three institutions engaged in transfer of agricultural technology. Hindi Abstract: हमन कषि विकास परियोजनाओ की निगरानी क निमन सतर पर धयान दिया। विभिनन कषि परियोजनाओ की परगति रिपोरट इकाई को लाग करक तयार की जाती ह जिस योजना की निगरानी क रप म माना जाता ह। लाभारथी कषि परियोजनाओ की निगरानी म शामिल नही ह कयोकि इस कवल अधिकारियो का डोमन माना जाता ह। यह समझना महतवपरण ह कि निगरानी एक वयकति क कारय नही बलकि एक सामहिक कारय ह। जब लाभारथियो समत सभी हिससदार धारको की निगरानी म शामिल होत ह, तो यह सहभागी निगरानी क लिए मारग परशसत करता ह। कषि विकास परियोजनाओ की निगरानी म अपरयापत करमचारी सबस महतवपरण बाधा क रप म उभर, इसक बाद गावो की कम यातरा, वाहन सविधा की कमी, और कषि परौदयोगिकी क हसतातरण म लग तीन ससथानो क बीच खराब समनवय।.

The Transfer of Agricultural Technology to Alleviate Food Insecurity in Western Kenya

The Transfer of Agricultural Technology to Alleviate Food Insecurity in Western Kenya

아프리카의 농업기술보급체계와 농업기술협력 전략 -에티오피아와 우간다를 중심으로-

본 연구는 아프리카 지역의 농업기술보급체계를 진단하고, 보급체계의 발전방향 및 개발원조 전략을 제시함으로써 ODA(Official Development Assistance)를 통한 아프리카 농업기술전수의 효과성 제고에 기여하고자 한다. 기존의 대(對)아프리카 농업원조는 아프리카의 농업이 내포하고 있는 '다양성'과 '복잡성'의 가치를 간과한 채 진행되어 왔으며, 막대한 원조금액의 기대와 달리, 아프리카의 농업발전은 답보 상태에 놓여 있다. 본 연구는 농업기술보급체계 및 ODA사업 전략의 아프리카화(Africanization) 논의를 제기하고 있으며, 설문조사 일변도의 미시적 시각에서 나아가 사례국가별 농업기술보급체계의 거시적 특성을 분석하고 있다. 연구 결과, 사례국가의 기술보급체계는 조직과 기능에 따라 상이한 특성을 지니고 있으며, 이에 기술보급체계의 주체별 역할 세분화와 기능별 역량 분석 내용 또한 차별적으로 구성되었다. 에티오피아의 경우, 정부조직의 규모별로 하향식 농업기술보급체계가 구축되어 있으며, 전달체계의 최종행위자인 농민집단의 참여가 확대되고 있다. 그러나 여전히 기술전달을 통한 생산성 향상 등의 기능보다는 농가경영적인 측면에 치중되어 있어, 전달 기술의 효과적인 활용이 결여되어 있는 실정이다. 반면 우간다의 사례에서는 전 기관을 포괄하는 참여적 지도체계가 구축되어 있으나, 기술지도의 시급성에도 불구하고 지도 역할보다는 연구 기능의 확대에 투자가 집중되어 있음이 규명되었다. 상기 연구결과는 현 농업기술보급체계의 개선과 이를 토대로 한 농업기술전수사업의 수행이 아프리카 농업 농촌 ODA사업의 효과성 제고와 농업침체의 문제를 해결하기 위한 필요조건임을 논증하고 있다. The purpose of the present study is to improve the effectiveness of Korea's ODA projects on agricultural technology transfer to Africa. This study investigates agricultural extension system of African countries and provides a direction of the systematic strategies of the Korean ODAs on agricultural technology. This study pays particular attention on Africanization of agricultural technology transfer of the Korean ODA strategies. Unlike the previous studies focusing mainly on micro level investigation on the ODA strategy development, the present study incorporates the agricultural technology dissemination system of Ethiopia and Uganda in a macro perspective to develop a desirable form of the ODA strategy. The findings illustrate that the technology dissemination systems of the case countries have different characteristics depending on the function and organization of extension agency. And their functional capability and role segmentation by the extension agency are differently configured, too. In case of Ethiopia, top-down structure for the agricultural extension system has been built. Farmers' group and field agent of the information delivery system has expanded their participation into the system. However, we also find that the system of Ethiopia still lacks effective use of its existing technology, since it puts more emphasis on management aspects than improvement of agricultural productivity for farmers. On the other hand, even though Uganda has established participatory extension system that encompasses the entire agencies of the extension system, government efforts to enhance the extension system are still concentrated on expanding research functions rather than technical dissemination. The results imply that promoting and strengthening localization of the ODA strategy has to be developed to make localization policy of the Korean ODA. The present study concludes with some specific policy implications for necessary conditions of the agricultural development in African countries.

English

An enduring outcome of observation processes is the enduring visibility of the need for the generation and expansion of employment. The current situations in Nigeria are underemployment, unemployment as well as insecurity. Among the broad causes of unemployment are absence of industrialization, poor agricultural system, high cost of qualitative education, rapid population growth, rural-urban migration in search for white collar job, mismatch between required and acquired skill and poor data base. The focus of this paper is to account for and recommend ways of employment generation and expansion on the one hand and proffer a panacea for insecurity on the other, the assumption is that, employment generation should be on the priority list of any government on policy formation as well as the expansion, continuity and sustainability of the generated employment in general and improvement on low agricultural produce in particular. Therefore, it is however recommended that improvement on low agricultural output, technology transfer and Empowerment of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) or entrepreneurship should be critically taken attention to, to generate employment and as well curb the insecurity situation in Nigeria.   Key words: Absolute and comparative cost advantage, entrepreneurship, insecurity, low agriculture, technology transfer.

Land market liberalization, transfer of agricultural technology, and the process of industrialization

Common wisdom suggests that foreign land ownership should facilitate the transfer of agricultural technology from developed to developing countries, attract foreign capital flow to developing countries, and enhance the process of capital accumulation. The goal of this paper is to dispute this claim and describe a particular feedback mechanism through which the foreign land ownership can become a barrier for growth and development. The main result of this paper suggests that a policy proposal to enhance the process of growth and development through foreign land ownership accompanied by the transfer of agricultural technology may not always succeed. It is important to recognize that apart from benefits, foreign land ownership can sometimes become an impediment for growth. As a result, a policy maker with a clear goal to speed up the process of development may end up pushing the country even deeper into an underdevelopment trap due to the policy intervention.

Pluralistic Agricultural Extension System in India: Innovations and Constraints

The major issues before Indian extension system are: how to improve the effectiveness of extension systems? How to serve the small land holders and marginal farmers in diversified farming systems? and proper allocation of fund, human resources and its management. The ATMA model has been successful in addressing many extension problems. Hence, the model should be introduced and implemented vigilantly. ATMAs should be empowered with sufficient administrative, financial and implementation flexibilities to reach the large numbers of small and marginal farmers. There is need of coordinated attempt to synergize and converge efforts at district and block levels to improve the performance of stakeholders. It is essential to route all the state and central government extension funds and human resources through a single agency, i.e. ATMA for effective utilization of crucial resources. The state governments should provide proper financial support by allocating at least 20% of states total budget to ATMA, which in turn distributes among state departments. The development grant provided by ICAR to SAUs and KVKs should be reviewed and adequately enhanced. Scaling up of FIGs/SHGs and Farmers Associations (FAs) could be an effective mechanism for empowerment and transfer of agricultural technologies. For serving the small communities efficiently, Information and Communication Technologies could be useful tools to increase connectivity between various FIGs/SHGs. It will also reduce extension cost and the workload of extension functionaries. There is need to learn from other actors like private sector, NGOs as they have much in-depth presence with various successful model.

Negotiating New Relationships: How the Ethiopian State is Involving China and Brazil in Agriculture and Rural Development

This article provides an overview of Brazilian and Chinese agricultural development cooperation activities in Ethiopia. Development cooperation is carefully managed and coordinated in Ethiopia, a highly aid-dependent country, in line with the national ‘Growth and Transformation Plan’. The government promotes harmonisation and an alignment process of Western donor support through the Ethiopian High Level Forum. Brazil and China are currently not engaged in these coordination platforms, working instead on a bilateral basis. Core activities include experience-sharing in public governance, technical cooperation, and the attraction of private and public investments. In the case of Brazil, the cooperation focuses on renewable energy sector development mainly related to biofuels derived from sugar cane production, whilst in the case of China, cooperation is more focused on infrastructure, agricultural technology and skill transfer. The approach adopted by Ethiopia reflects a commitment to a ‘developmental state’ approach. This seems to be delivering results in the agricultural sector, and beyond.

Analysis of Utility Status of College Students in Assam Agricultural University under Rural Agricultural Work Experience Programme (RAWE)

The Rural Agricultural Work Experience Programme (RAWE) has become an integral part of the B. Sc (Agri) degree programme in Assam Agricultural University, India, since its introduction in 1991.T he present study to ascertain the degree of utility of the RAWE programme in terms of strong establishment of linkage with farming community and successful transfer of agricultural technology to farmers' field was conducted in Assam Agricultural University, India with a total sample size of 86 undergraduate students. The study reveals that among the utility areas identified under the study, communication skills showed the highest positive response as reported by 48.01% respondents followed by courses undergone (45.35 %) and farm practices (39.02%). While utility areas of rural development (19.65%) and marketing and management of resources (23.10%) showed least positi ve responses from the students in terms of their utility towards agricultural development in study areas. The study further shows that variables such as sex, Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), location of RAWEP.

Capital accumulation with and without land market liberalization: beyond the “Win‐Win” situation

This paper examines the effect of land market liberalization on the dynamics of capital accumulation. It is shown that the land market liberalization, which is accompanied with the transfer of agricultural technology, may not always offer a “win‐win” outcome for developed and developing countries. Improved agricultural productivity generates a growth enhancing externality. However, land market liberalization affects the balance between the equalizing force of the diminishing returns technology and the un‐equalizing force of the low income elasticity of the agricultural commodity demand. As a result, land market liberalization accompanied with the transfer of agricultural productivity, may not always guarantee a “win‐win” outcome for developed and developing countries. If improvement of agricultural productivity is insignificant then land market liberalization can cause “win‐lose” situation for developed and developing countries. This result suggests that one should be very careful in a policy proposal designed to foster the process of development through foreign land ownership. It is important to recognize that apart from benefits, foreign land ownership also creates a disadvantage for capital accumulation and causes the magnification of the world income inequality.JEL classificationF43, O11, R14

Unscrambling Africa: Regional Requirements for Achieving Food Security

Africa has inherited highly arbitrary political borders that vastly complicate current efforts to accelerate agricultural growth and reduce hunger. By partitioning agro‐ecological zones and natural market sheds, current borders serve as barriers, hampering agricultural technology transfer, hindering agricultural trade and dampening incentives for farmers and agribusinesses to invest in Africa's many regional bread‐basket zones. Feasible solutions revolve around neutralising these deleterious effects through regional scientific networks and corridor development programmes.

Paradigm shift in the agro-technology transfer system: Case study of Agricultural Development Programme in Enugu State, Nigeria (2001 to 2009)

The study examined response of agricultural development programme (ADP) to changes in the operational environment. Forty eight purposively and 12 randomly selected extension workers were used. Data were collected by use of questionnaire and analysed using means, percentage, and one - way analysis of variance. There is no significant different in level of involvement and coverage of ADP organization in about 95% areas of service delivery to farmers over the years (2001 to 2009). Only respondents’ perception of involvement in arable/cash crops (M=2.8, 2.5, 2.6) showed a significant different (p ≤ 0.5), but in a declining pattern. ADP had strong linkages with national agriculture research institutes (M=3.2, 3.2, 3.1) agro-processing firms (M=3.5, 3.9, 4.3), and NGOs (M= 3.4, 3.3, 3.2) between 2001 and 2009. However, linkages with other institutions were relatively weak. Analysis of variance shows significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) in respondents’ perceived extent of involvement in training in ICTs, biotechnology, group dynamics and communication/human relation. Training efforts on building capacity in specific subject areas in these areas were at a very low ebb. Overall, ADP extension organisation has not substantially responded to the emerging service and training needs of the farmers and extension workers. Linkage attitude of the organization has improved but is limited to only few areas. The study therefore recommends that government should increase extension support, initiate linkage framework and policy to enhance the organization capability to make internal and external adjustment whether for service delivery, linkage, or training in response to changes in the environment. Key Words: Agricultural technology transfer, agricultural development programme, linkages, extension service.