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THE 12TH ANNUAL FARMING SYSTEMS
SYMPOSIUM PROGRAM
SEPTEMBER 13-18, 1992
Sponsored by
THE ASSOCIATION FOR FARMING SYSTEMS RESEARCH/EXTENSION
AFSR/E
Hosted by
INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURE
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
THE SYMPOSIUM HOSTING INSTITUTION
---tatmen
Michigan State University is proud to have provided the venue for the ninth and tenth annual Farm-
ing Systems Research/Extension symposia in 1990 and 1991. Anticipating our final role as hosts to
the symposium in 1992, we reflect on the following achievements of the researchers, practitioners,
and Association leaders with whom we have worked:
Approximately 250-300 have attended each of the previous symposia and are expected in
1992. Many participants have received travel support from resources assembled by MSU
symposium managers.
* A significant number of students have participated, both as volunteers to assist the
symposium staff and in special activities designed to integrate them into FSR/E networks
and activities.
* An association for FSR/E has been created, coalescing around the symposium activities
both at MSU and previously at Arkansas and Kansas.
* MSU faculty and students have benefitted from their interactions with symposium
participants, Association leaders, and sponsors whose generous support has enabled us to
meet symposium administrative expenses and to extend travel assistance to many
participants.
Michigan State University and especially the Institute of International Agriculture, wish to extend
special thanks to the following individuals and organizations who have had key roles in the success
of the symposia at MSU:
~ Management of the Symposium at Michigan State University ~
Dr. George Axinn
Dr. James Bingen
Dr. Dale Harpstead
~ Members of the Board of Directors and Staffs of Foundations ~
which have Provided Substantial Financial Support
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Dr. Dan Moore and Dr. Tom Thorburn
The Ford Foundation/New Delhi
Dr. Gordon Conway and Dr. Ruth Alsop
The Ford Foundation/New York
Dr. Walter Coward
The Inter-American Foundation
Dr. Charles Reilly
The Rockefeller Foundation
Mr. Kenneth Prewitt and Mr. Robert Herdt
The MSU Foundation
MSU's African Studies Center
MSU's Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies
~ MSU Symposia Support Staff ~
Bets Caldwell
Ardell Ward
Julie McDaniels-Smith
Sue Gibbons
Cynthia Wolf
Noel Harshman
Shari Meister
Janine Morell
Marc Van Wormer
Weijun Zhao
To all those whose participation has made the symposia at MSU valuable to the farm families of the
world, we extend our thanks and congratulations. We look forward to continued participation in
future AFSR/E symposia.
Donald R. Isleib
Associate Dean and Director
Institute of International Agriculture
AFSR/E
Association for Farming Systems Research/Extension
Officers and Board Members for 1991-1992
Officers
President
John Caldwell
Virginia Polytechnic Institute State University
President-Elect
David Norman
Kansas State University
Secretary/Treasurer
Timothy Finan
University of Arizona
Editor
Tim Frankenberger
University of Arizona
Board of Directors
Past President
Harold McArthur
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Nominations/Election
James Bingen
Michigan State University
Networking
Clive Lightfoot
ICLARM/Philippines
Membership Directory
Noel Young
Central Missouri State University
Members at Large
Nandarajah Sriskandaraja
University of West Sydney-Hawkesbury
Australia
Ramiro Ortiz
DIGESA/Guatemala
Michael Collinson
Secretariat CGIAR
U.S.A.
AFSR/E Information
Regional Representitives
Africa
Enos Shumba
Ministry of Lands/Zimbabwe
Asia
Terd Charoenwatana
Khon Kaen University/Thailand
Europe
Janice Jiggins
Netherlands
Latin America
Eduardo Zaffaroni
Universidade Federal de Pelotas/Brazil
North America
Loma Butler
Washington State University-Puyallup/USA
AFSR/E Information 4
Program Information
AFSR/E
Sunday, September 13
AFSR/E Board Meeting-The Capitol Room
Lunch
Sustainable Agriculture Tours-The MSU campus
Registration for the Symposium-The Terrace
Welcome Reception-University Ballroom
Monday, September 14
11 am 3 pm
12:30-4:30 pm
3:30 7:30 pm
7-9 pm
Continental Breakfast-The Terrace
Registration for the Symposium-The Terrace
Opening Session and Welcome to MSU-University Ballroom
Dr. John Caldwell, AFSR/E President and
Dr. Fred Poston, Vice Provost and Dean,
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources,
Michigan State University
Keynote Speaker-University Ballroom
Dr. Julio Berdegue, RIMSPA
Santiago, Chile
Break-The Terrace
Session 1: Historical Foundations-University Ballroom
Facilitator: Chris Andrew
Regional roots and impact of FSR/E (Terd Charoenwatana-Asia)
(James Olukosi-Africa)
(Edgardo Moscardi-Latin America)
Evolution and impact of global synthesis and networking
(Cornelia Butler-Flora)
Questions and discussion, followed by brief synthesis
7:15 8 am
7:30 10 am
8:30 9 am
9 9:30 am
9:30 10 am
10 12 noon
Program information 5
Symposium Progra
Open Lunch
Session 2: Strategic Initiatives in Roles for
FSR/E: On-Farm Methods-University Ballroom
Facilitator: Clive Lightfoot
Field methods for analysis by farmers (Robert Chambers)
Target groups (Jacqueline Ashby)
On-farm experimentation for sustainability (Reginald Noble)
Questions and discussion
Summary (Larry Harrington)
Break-The Terrace
12 1:30 pm
1:30 3 pm
3 3:30 pm
Session 3: Strategic Initiatives in Roles for
FSR/E: Institutional Linkages-University Ballroom
Facilitator: Timothy Finan
Linkages and impact: Station research (Deborah Merrill-Sands)
Impact of structural adjustment policy reform on FSR:
The African Experience (Timothy Finan)
Food Security and FSR/E (Timothy Frankenberger)
Linkages and impact: Policy (Doyle Baker)
New ideas in institutional linkages (John Farrington)
Questions and discussion
Open Dinner
Graduate Students Meeting-University Ballroom, Salon A
Meeting for Moderators/Facilitators-The Capitol Room
Overview and discussion for Tuesday's sessions
Regional Meetings-University Ballroom 8:30- 10 pm
Africa-Salon B
Asia-Salon C
Latin America-Salon D
Europe-The Capitol Room
North America-The Board Room
3:30 5:30 pm
5:30 7 pm
7:30 9 pm
7 8:30 pm
Program information 6
Tuesday, September 15
Continental Breakfast-The Terrace
7:15 8 am
Late Registration for the Symposium-The Terrace
7:30 8:30 am
Session 4: Concurrent Sessions: 8 10:00 am
Methods-University Ballroom, Salons A, B, C and D
Diagnosis and farmer participation (Salon A Hal McArthur)
Gender analysis (Salon B Thelma Paris)
On-farm experimentation (Salon C John Caldwell)
Systems perspectives in sustainable development (Salon D John Farrington)
Break-The Terrace
10 10:30 am
Session 5: Concurrent Sessions: 10:30 12 :30 pm
Institutions-University Ballroom, Salons A, B and C
Linkages and impact: Station research (Salon A Akinwumi Adesina)
Linkages and impact: Public and private extension (Salon B Rita Joldersma)
Linkages and impact: Policy (Salon C Eduardo Zaffaroni)
Open Lunch
Session 6: Concurrent Sessions
Poster Sessions-2nd floor
Techniques Bazaar-Campus Room, main floor (Lisette Staal)
(there will be a break served on the Terrace from 3 3:30 pm)
Group Dinner-University Ballroom
Guest Speaker-European Representative
Janice Jiggins, The Netherlands
Special Topics
Facilitator's meeting: Synthesis, Sessions 4, 5, and 6-Capitol Room
Facilitator's meeting: Planning, Sessions 8 and 9-Board Room
12 1:30 pm
1:30 5:30 pm
6:30 8 pm
8 10 pm
Program information 7
Wednesday, September 16
Continental Breakfast-The Terrace
Late Registration for the Symposium-The Terrace
7:15 8 am
7:30 8:30 am
Session 7: Strategic Directions: Synthesis-University Ballroom 8 9:31
Panel of three presentations summarizing Tuesday sessions
(Posters and bazaar, methods; and institutions)
Break-The Terrace 9:30 1
Session 8: Strategic Directions: Working 10 -12
Group Discussions-University Ballroom, Salons A, B, C and D
Moderator: Peter Hildebrand
Facilitators to include: (Janice Jiggins, Virginia Cardenas, Elon Gilbert, Joshua Posner)
Facilitators for 4 6 working groups of 32 40 persons each
Each working group divided into 4 tables of 8 10 persons who
appoint their own rapporteurs
0 am
0 am
noon
Group luncheon-Campus Room (main floor) 12 1:30 pm
Facilitators sit at tables with group rapporteurs
Session 9: Reports from Working Groups-University Ballroom
Questions for facilitators (from the morning sessions)
Break-The Terrace
1:30 3 pm
3 3:30 pm
Session 10: Information Exchange and
Networking: AFSR/E Today-University Ballroom
Status and impact of AFSR/E (John Caldwell)
Membership and financial status of AFSR/E (Timothy Finan)
Networking-publications (Timothy Frankenberger)
Networking-cross-regional linkages (Clive Lightfoot)
Invitation from European regional group
Open Dinner
3:30 5:30 pm
5:30 8:30 pm
AFSR/E Symposium Party-University Ballroom (Sue Gibbons)
8:30 12 midnight
Program information 8
I Thursday, September 17
Continental Breakfast-The Terrace
Late Registration for the Symposium-The Terrace
Session 11: Information Exchange and
Networking: Regional Initiatives-University Ballroom
Facilitator: Clive Lightfoot
7 invited presentations by regional representatives
Latin America (Eduardo Zaffaroni)
Asia (Nimal Ranaweera)
East and Central Africa (Paul Maina)
West Africa (James Olukosi)
Southern Africa (Ted Stillwell)
Europe (Didier Pillot)
North America (Richard Harwood)
Break-The Terrace
Session 12: Information Exchange and
Networking: Regional Needs and Proposals
for Global Linkage-University Ballroom, Salons A, B C and D
4 6 concurrent discussion group meetings
Latin America (German Escobar)
Asia (Terd Charoenwatana)
Africa (Zainul Abedin)
Europe (John Farrington)
North America (Richard Harwood)
Open Lunch
Session 13: Continuation of Session 12
-University Ballroom, Salons A, B, C and D
Summary (Clive Lightfoot)
7:15 8 am
7:30 8:30 am
8 10 am
10 10:30 am
10:30 12 am
12 1:30 pm
1:30 3 pm
Break-The Terrace
3 3:30 pm
Program information 9
Session 14: Working Group Synthesis-University Ballroom
Facilitators and 4 table rapporteurs of each group
Open Dinner
Facilitators and AFSR/E Board Member Dinner-The Capitol Room
Working dinner and meeting to plan for Session 15
Group Meetings-The Campus Room
Space available for follow-up meetings for regional groups, etc.
Friday, September 18
Continental Breakfast-The Terrace
Session 15: Strategy for Global Linkage:
A Proposition for the Future-University Ballroom
Discussion led by John Caldwell
Panel to discuss proposition developed at the Thursday facilitators
and Board member's meeting
Synthesis and conclusions
Break-The Terrace
Session 16: Strategy for Global Linkage:
General Discussion-University Ballroom
Discussion led by David Norman
Perspectives for the Future: Closing statements
3:30 5:30 pm
5:30 7 pm
6 10 pm
7:30 10 pm
7:15 8 am
8 10 am
10 10:30 am
10:30 12 noon
Program information 10
Oral Presentations
(: I --
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Diagnosis and Farmer Participation
Session 4: Concurrent Sessions 8:00 10:00 am
Facilitator: Harold McArthur
Maurya, D.M. Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, India
Farmers Participatory On-Farm Research Methodology: A Sustainable Model
Ndufa, James Kenya Forestry Research Institute, Kenya
Participatory Research Methods for Agroforestry Technology Development in Western Kenya
Prasad, Satish and Krushdhari Tirkey (Ms) Birsa Agricultural University, India
Diagnostic Approach in Farmers Participatory Trials on Rice Based Farming System
Rajasekaran, B. CIKARD, USA
Farmer Participatory Approaches to Integrate Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Research Station
Technologies Toward Sustained Food Production and Resource Conservation in India
Ravnborg, Helle Munk Centre for Development Research, Denmark
Resource-Poor Farmers: Finding Them and Diagnosing their Problems and Opportunities
Singh, K.P. Birsa Agricultural University, India
Techniques of Diagnosis of Constraints and Problem Solving Approach with Farmers' Participation in
Tribal Area of Chotanagpur, Bihar, India
Timsina, Dibya ECARDS, Nepal
Farmer Participatory Approaches in Identifying Gender Issues in Agriculture and Forestry Related Activities in
Thapa, Nepal
Gender Analysis
Session 4: Concurrent Sessions 8:00 10:00 am
Facilitator: Thelma Paris
Balakrishnan, Revathi and P. Nyirahabimana Oregon State University, USA
Rwanda Women's Role in Integrated Aquaculture Systems for Resource Sustainability
Shah, Wajed, Salima Jahan Nuri, A.B.M. Abul Khair, and Ashraful Islam Bangladesh Agricultural Research
Institute, Bangladesh
Extent and Method of Vegetables Seed Storage, and Women's Participation in Rural Bangladesh
Shrestha, Meenu and Rabindra Kumar Shrestha Pakribas Agricultural Centre, Nepal
Women Farmers: How to Involve Them in Agricultural Research
Timsina, Dibya ECARDS, Nepal
Gender Analysis for Multi-Purpose Tree Species in Rice-Based Farming Systems Research in Chitwan, Nepal
On-Farm Experimentation
Session 4: Concurrent Sessions 8:00 10:00 am
Facilitator: John Caldwell
Asaduzzaman, S.M. Regional Agriculture Research Station
Late Jute Seeding Provides Seed, Vegetable, and Fuel for Sustainable Agriculture
Ezumah, Humphrey NCRE/IITA, Nigeria
Intercropping Cassava (Manihot esculenta) with Protein-Rich Annuals and Estimates of Nutritive Returns
Hildebrand, Peter University of Florida, USA
Testing Modified Stability Analysis with Biophysical Process Models
Karki, Madhav Institute of Forestry, Nepal
On-Farm Evaluation of Growth Performance, Lopping Regimes and Nutrient Contents of Common Fodder
Tree Species: A Methodological and Management Study from Nepal
Posner, Joshua University of Wisconsin, USA
The Wisconsin Integrated Cropping Systems Trial: Bridging the GAP Between Station Research, the
Producer, and the Consumer
Systems Perspectives in Sustainable Development
Session 4: Concurrent Sessions 8:00 10:00 am
Facilitator: John Farrington
Jabbar, MA. International Livestock Centre for Africa, Nigeria
Evolving Crop-Livestock Farming Systems in the Humid Zone of West Africa: Potential and Research
Needs
Kar, Pradip, S.M.H. Arangzeb, R.N. Mallick Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, Bangladesh
Farming Systems Research in Bangladesh: Its Progress and Future Strategies
Litsinger, James International Rice Research Institute, Philippines
Mining for Insect Pest Management Nuggets from Farming Systems Research in Tropical Asian Rice
Agroecosystems
Wijeratne, Mahinda University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka
An Analysis of Rice-Based Farming System: Sustainability of Traditional Rice Varieties
Linkages and Impact: Station Research
Session 5: Concurrent Sessions 10:30 12:30 pm
Facilitator: Akinwumi Adesina
Adesina, Akinwumi West Africa Rice Development Association, Cote D'Ivoire
Diffusion, Adoption and Economic Impacts of Modem Rice Varieties in West Africa: Further Results from
Guinea and Sierra Leone
Amin, Md Sadrul and R.N. Mallick Checchi and Company Consulting, Inc., Bangladesh
A Study on the Status of Farming Systems and On-Station Research Linkages in Bangladesh
Choi, Min-Ho Seoul National University, Korea
The Selective Approaches to Effective Linkages between Agricultural Research and Extension in Korea
Shumba, Enos Ministry of Lands, Zimbabwe
Institutional Linkages that Enhance the Value of On-Farm Research for Smallholder Farmers: The Zimbabwe
Experience
Thakur, Ramagya Rajendra Agricultural University, India
Relevance of FSR/E Linkage with Station Research
Zhang, Xiaohu Gansu Grassland Ecological Research Institute, China
Study of Application of Target Grouping in Agricultural Extension on the Loess Plateau in Northwestern
China
Linkages and Impact: Public and Private Extension
Session 5: Concurrent Sessions 10:30 12:30 pm
Facilitator: Rita Joldersrna
Dasgupta, Subash and R.N. Mallick Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, Bangladesh
FSR and NGO: Partner for Sustainable Development of Resource-Poor Farmer
Haq, Shamsul and Mafizul Islam Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Bangladesh
Linkage with NGO: Experience of Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute with Proshika Muk
Heinrich, Geoffrey and E. Modiakgotla Department of Agricultural Research, Botswana
Linking FSR, Extension and Other Development Organizations at the Local Level: Some Approaches Used in
Botswana
Roy, Indrajit and M.A. Hamid Miah Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, Bangladesh
Integrating FSR into National Extension System: A Case of Bangladesh
Linkages and Impact: Policy
Session 5. Concurrent Sessions 10:30 12:30 pm
Facilitator: Eduardo Zaffaroni
Harrington, Larry CIMMYT, Thailand
Sustainability in Perspective: Strengths and Limitations of FSRE in Contributing to a Sustainable Agriculture
Quazi, Mesbahul Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Bangladesh
Constraints and Policy Measures for Effective Enterprise Combination in Bangladesh
Teme, Bino Institut d'Economie Rural, Mali
Farming Systems and Markets Combining Analytical Frameworks for the Development of Commodity
Sub-Systems: The Case of Maize in Southern Mali
Concurrent Sessions
Diagnosis and Farmer Participation
Presenter: Harold McArthur
Farmers Participatory On-Farm Research Methodology A Sustainable Model
D.M. Maurya*
A participatory On-Farm Research Methodology has been evolved and is being followed at NDUAT, Faizabad.
Methodology is generating relevant information with active involvement of farmers through an interactive process to
enhance the understanding of local systems, problem, definition and possible solution. For the past eight years, On-
Farm experiments have been conducted in about twenty resource constrained villages involving more than 700 farmers
using crop, vegetable, fruits, mushroom, goat and pig resources. The special feature of the programme is the whole
village concept with a view to capture ecological socio-economics and management variability prevailing in the village
system, avoiding package programme, adopting component technology through tandem approach, using multiple options
with half-baked technology, matching local methods, materials and resources to fit in the system, taking new options
only as new, not the "best", leaving the final decision on farmers, arranging experiments under farmers' own
management conditions and conducting experiments by farmers themselves. Using even On-Station rejected materials
and methods to provide final opportunity taking farmer as replication and different villages as multilocation sites.
Trying to have preferably replicative, self-revolving and sustainable technology, like establishment of village seed,
nursery, animal resource banks by realizing a portion of seed and other animal materials used for experiments back
which work as bank, no subsidy but possible guarantee for compensation of loss, if any, caused on account of using of
new materials in experimentation compared to their locals. Documenting lesson learnt from farmers and using this
knowledge in modifying and refining On-Station Research agenda/priorities, the guiding philosophy has been to induce
and strengthen informal research capability of farming communities to speed up process of research to make On-Farm
Research self-sustainable.
Participatory Research Methods for Agroforestry Technology Development in
Western Kenya
James K. Ndufa*
This paper analyzes two years' experience with participatory approaches in an on-farm agroforestry research project in
the highlands of western Kenya. The project, which is a collaborative venture between international and national
research institutions, aims to determine the adoption potential and beneficial impact of agroforestry technologies. These
include, improved fallows, hedgerow intercropping, boundary planting, and fodder banks.
Working through existing women groups proved to be an efficient way to analyze constraints and elicit the priorities of
the farmers in the area. Splitting large groups into sub-groups during meetings enabled more active participation of the
group members. Visits of the groups to the research station and meetings to design technology trials gave limited but
valuable inputs and has helped to sustain farmers' interest in new, complex technologies, like hedgerow intercropping.
Seasonal assessment meetings are time consuming but give valuable feedback from farmers on the technologies. They
also provide a good forum to involve local extensioners and other key informants in the research process. Formal
questionnaires permit a rigorous evaluation of farmers' response, providing that sufficient pre-testing of the questions is
conducted.
Oral presentation abstracts 15
Critical factors for involving groups in on-farm research is the time involved for all actors (researchers, extensioners, and
farmers), and the need to balance their different objectives. We found that an effective way to compensate the groups for
their time and costs without compromising the research objectives was to distribute limited numbers of additional tree
seedlings to the groups. We are monitoring how farmers use the seedlings.
Diagnostic Approach in Farmers Participatory Trials on Rice-Based
Farming System
Satish Chandra Prasad* and Krushdhari Tirkey
Of many tools developed, for economic upliftment of the resource poor upland rice farmers, like (RRA) Rapid Rural
Appraisal, (AAE) Agro-ecosystem Analysis, the farmers participatory trials after diagnosing the problems, has very far
reaching influences. The diagnostic system distinctly separated the biophysical causes and socioeconomic problems on
100 point scale. The diagnosis was systematically followed viz tertiary, secondary and primary causes with appropriate
rating based on their importance. While some of the problems needed state policy change and implementation like land
reforms, some beyond any solution like acute degradation of soil while many farming system problems were within
purview.
After diagnostic approach, the farmers participatory trials were planned using their complete involvement in changing
land use system, distincting various material flows in different enterprises and ultimately bringing out a good change in
their attitude for participation.
All these steps, when transformed, resulted in adoption of MRV, with stable yields, inter and relay cropping, goatary and
poultry husbandry, planting quick growing fruits like bananas and papaya and going for mushroom cultivation. The
farmers improved their credit worthiness as reflected in their loan borrowing of Rs. 5000.00. Rs. 641.00 and Rs. 416.00
by marginal (58%), small farmers (17%) and medium farmers (22%) respectively.
Farmer Participatory Approaches to Integrate Indigenous Knowledge Systems
and Station Research Technologies Toward Sustained Food Production and
Resource Conservation in India
B. Rajasekaran*
Increasing pressure for food production due to the rapidly growing population has led to the gradual disappearance of
numerous indigenous knowledge systems (IKSs) related to food production and resource conservation. Recent research
on IKSs indicates that they are highly sophisticated and complex, reflecting generations of careful observations of the
agro-ecological environment. Keeping these in view, a study has been conducted with an objective to: 1) record IKSs,
and 2) integrate IKSs and station research technologies.
Several specific examples of IKSs related to food production and resource conservation were recorded directly from
farmers belonging to three South Indian villages. The IKSs were recorded using four stages of farmer participation: 1)
Transect stage: Transects have been drawn by walking through the villages to demarcate the agro-ecological zones and
its bio-physical environments. 2) Participant observation stage: IKSs pertaining to food production and resource
conservation were recorded during this stage. Unstructured interaction state: Participatory meetings were conducted
among the various groups of local farmers to discuss the rationale behind the use of IKSs. 4) 'Emic' instrumentations
stage: An emic instrument has been employed to identify the extent that the IKSs are used 'as perceived' by the local
farmers.
An attempt has been made to analyze the impact of IKSs on productivity (land and labor) and sustainability. A
methodological framework by incorporating IKSs and need-based station research technologies has been developed in
collaboration with the farmers. The framework has been built upon IKSs, needs as prioritized by various groups of local
farmers, and bio-physical conditions of the villages. The framework would be of high practical value to FSR/E
practitioners especially while conducting on-farm research programs in India.
Oral presentation abstracts 16
Resource-Poor Farmers Finding Them and Diagnosing Their
Problems and Opportunities
Helle Munk Ravnborg*
Despite its predominant focus on resource-poor farmers, FSR has both from a conceptual and methodological point of
view largely failed to address the issue of differentiation among small-scale farmers in terms of their different access to
productive resources.
Although originally, the concept recommendation domain was conceived as a group of farm households likely to benefit
from the same type of recommendations due to operating under similar agro-ecological and socio-economic conditions,
the tendency has been to leave out the socio-economic dimension. This almost invariably implies that the specific
constraints and opportunities of resource-poor households are overlooked.
This paper presents experiences from Tanzania from the use of wealth rankings as a technique to identify farmers' own
perceptions of differences in wealth and discuss its possible use and significance both in agricultural research and
extension.
Furthermore, with a view to social and economic differentiation, the paper presents experiences from the use of
participatory approaches, including future-workshops to diagnose not only farmers' but also extension workers' and
researchers' problems and conceptions of preferred directions of change.
Techniques of Diagnosis of Constraints and Problem Solving Approach with
Farmers' Participation in Tribal Area of Chotanagpur, Bihar, India
K.P. Singh*
This paper will present data on techniques of diagnosis of biological and socio-economic constraints through agro-
ecosystem analysis, identification of opportunities, fixing research priorities and conducting problem solving on-farm
trials in tribal area of Chotanagpur, Bihar, India. Agro-ecosystem analysis revealed the existence of highly eroded,
sandy, shallow soils, acidic in nature, with low soil fertility and low water holding capacity. Early cessation of monsoon,
no irrigation facilities and excessive weed pressure in crops. The farmers were small, illiterate with no resources for
purchasing improved seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. On-farm trials were conducted with farmers' participation with
early maturing improved seeds which escaped early cessation of monsoon and could tolerate drought condition, low
fertilizers application on soil-test basis, line sowing and transplanting to facilitate weeding, use of intercropping to
increase the area under double crop where sequential cropping was not possible due to moisture-stress in winter, use of
need-based plant protection measures were practiced. Formation of cooperative societies for arranging financial loan for
purchase of inputs and marketing of agricultural products at suitable prices were practiced. Livestock, eg. dairy, poultry,
piggery and agro-forestry has also been incorporated successfully. The experience has been replicated in several villages
in the area.
Farmer Participatory Approaches in Identifying Gender Issues in Agriculture
and Forestry Related Activities in Thapa, Nepal
Dibya Timsina*
Farmer participatory approaches are getting popular in diagnosis of farmers' problems and constraints in different areas
of rural development activities. Some of such approaches such as farmers' group interview, key informants' interview,
time line, maps, seasonal calendar, and different rankings were used in diagnosing gender issues in agriculture and
forestry related activities and in exploring indigenous knowledge on forestry related activities in Dhaijan village (located
near a forest) of Jhapa, Nepal. Men and women farmers enthusiastically and cooperatively participated throughout the
period of diagnosis. The study identified varying ethnic groups, farming practices, and agriculture and forestry related
activities in the village. The study suggests with full confidence that the appropriate farmers' participatory approaches
Oral presentation abstracts 17
can be useful tools in identifying gender issues in agriculture and forestry related projects. Finally the paper enumerates
some lessons learnt and concludes with suggestions and recommendations to the policy makers regarding the use of
farmers' participatory approaches in agriculture and forestry related projects.
Gender Analysis
Presenter: Thelma Paris
Rwanda Women's Role in Integrated Aquaculture Systems for
Resource Sustainability
R. Balakrishnan* and P. Nyirahabimana
Aquaculture is often combined with agriculture, horticulture, and livestock production and rural development with great
success as farmers realize they can supplement their food supplies and income with small-scale fish farms (Vincke 1988;
Brown 1985; Schwartz et al 1988; Kutty 1986; Coche and Demoulin 1986). Production of fish in an integrated
aquaculture production system complementing natural resource systems has dual significance of resource sustainability
for family and ecological systems. At family systems level it adds to the income and protein food resource base. At the
ecological level it utilizes organic waste to generate food resources. Aquaculture which conserves natural resources
while increasing food production, is a labor intensive venture (Schwartz and others 1988; Randolph and Sanders 1988).
"Women's participation in labor intensive aquaculture with a potential to increase money income and nutritional level of
the family also has been the focus in women in development agenda in many developing countries" (Nash, Engle and
Crosetti, 1987). According to FAO/UN, in those countries where an aquaculture sector has been established women
have rapidly become involved in aquaculture at every level. In Rwanda women's participation by women has led to the
rapid and successful growth of aquaculture (Telecon with Veverica Oct. 31, 1990). In Rwanda fish culture activities
increases family income by 14% and 23% of the fish farmers are women and their number is growing (Egna, 1990).
Rwanda women have successfully demonstrated their interest and ability to utilize modem aquaculture technology
developed and disseminated through Collaborative Research Support Program (CRSP) (Konan, 1989).
The data were collected in the field research in southern region of Rwanda in 1992 in cooperation with the Pond
Dynamics Aquaculture CRSP. The sample includes women farmers who participated in aquaculture production,
extension agents who trained these women and CRSP scientists. The field research method used was focused group
techniques. The research analyzes: a) Rwanda women's participation in integrated agriculture and aquaculture
production systems; b) Rwanda women's perception of the economic and social benefits of integrated aquaculture
production and identification of constraints to their participation; and c) their understanding of ecological resource
sustainability impact of integrated aquaculture. Rwanda women have adopted integrated aquaculture for the economic
benefits including access to land resources. But they encounter production constraints in obtaining land, credit, fishlings,
tools and time to participate in aquaculture. Rwanda women farmers also face information gap and extension service
gap in developing aquaculture sector. Women are aware of the economic resource potential of the integrated
aquaculture, but not aware of its implication for ecological resource sustainability. Perceptions identified and lessons
learnt from experience of Rwanda women farmers can be valuable for training professionals to integrate women in
aquaculture activities that are gaining importance in Southern African region. Information on Rwanda aquaculture
extension can be a valuable case study for use in agriculture education programs to gain knowledge of the role of women
in aquaculture sector as it relates to sustainability of natural resources and family food security in land locked African
countries such as Rwanda.
Extent and Method of Vegetables Seed Storage, and Women's
Participation in Rural Bangladesh
Wajed A. Shah* Salima Jahan Nuri, A.B.M. Abul Khair, and Ashraful Islam
Annual production of vegetables in Bangladesh is around 1.9 million metric tons, which satisfies only about one-fifth of
the total domestic demand (BBS, 1985). One of the primary requirements to increase vegetables production is the supply
of seeds. But attention is yet to be given to assess the nature and extent of seed storage technologies followed at the farm
Oral presentation abstracts 18
level. The question arises whether the production and storage of seeds at farm level have been going on properly. IT
goes without saying that production part of the job is not easy. But to maintain the viability and vigor of vegetables
seeds for a desired period of time can even be more difficult. And thus proper seed storage technology is needed for
enhancing national production and for the improvement of farm economy.
Considering the felt needs to identify women's role and contribution in household economy development, and
recognizing that the rural women in Bangladesh play significant roles in different operations of farming systems, an
assessment of women's participation in vegetables seed storage technology at the farm level was deemed unnecessary.
This piece of work has initially enlightened the technologies followed in vegetables seed storage at farm level, extent of
seed storage and domestic demand of seeds. Later, as to how and where women contributes in the seed storage
technologies and its management. Finally the paper emphasizes policies that will possibly be adopted for the
improvement of vegetables seed production at farm level and thereby increase rural women's employment income.
Women Farmers: How to Involve Them in Agricultural Research
Meenu Shrestha* and Rabindra Kumar Shrestha
This paper highlights the activities related to women farmers launched by the Pakhribas Agricultural Centre (PAC), a
regional agricultural research centre for the eastern hills of Nepal, directly funded by the Overseas Development
Administration, United Kingdom. With more than a decade's experience, the centre has now realized the need for
involving women farmers in agricultural research. First it started involving women farmers in agricultural extension in
1986. Then, a women's development working group was formed in 1988 to develop awareness and to involve different
technical (disciplinary) sections in problem solving research. For the last three years PAC has started involving women
farmers in its on-station as well as on-farm research programme.
The paper concentrates its discussion on involvement of women farmers in agricultural research, its importance, different
strategies to incorporate them in the agricultural research process and the lessons learnt from it. So far, none of the
governmental and non governmental organizations have involved women farmers in agricultural research in Nepal. Up
to now the strategy of PAC is not to develop specific technologies for women farmers but to develop technologies
suitable for male and female farmers. This is explained in the paper.
It has been observed that the roles of male and female farmers differ in many farming activities. Moreover, women also
have considerable influence on the decision making process in farming activities. The criteria for selection of
technologies also differs with gender which is very important to establish selection criteria by the research stations to
develop adaptive technologies.
The paper provides a good example on how and where women farmers can be incorporated in the research process in a
regional context. It also discusses the opportunity and limitations related with gender issues and what sort of strategies
should be taken to assure the adoption of improved technologies.
Gender Analysis for Multi-purpose Tree Species in Rice-Based Farming Systems
Research in Chitwan, Nepal
Dibya Timsina*
Gender analysis has been identified as a useful tool in diagnosis phase of farming systems research (FSR) in many
countries. The tool was used for identifying the role of men, women, and children in terms of labor contribution to
households activities, rice production, animal production and in collection of fuelwood, and fodder in two different
communities (indigenous Tharus and non-indigenous Brahims and Chhetries) of Nepal where rice-based farming
systems are practiced. Results showed that women participated equally with or sometimes even more than men in
different activities of rice farming and livestock raising. Women were exclusively responsible in collecting fuelwood
and fodder from the nearby forest. Brahmin and Chhetry farmers were raising large ruminants such as cattle and
buffaloes, whereas the Tharus were raising small ruminants such as goats. Because of such differences, women of the
Oral presentation abstracts 19
two communities chose different MPTS for on-farm testing in the project. Children's contribution was also noteworthy
in both communities. Results suggest that the gender analysis can be an appropriate tool in identifying gender issues for
rice-based farming systems where agriculture, livestock and forestry are important components.
On-Farm Experimentation
Presenter: John Caldwell
Late Jute Seeding Provides Seed, Vegetable and Fuel for Sustainable Agriculture
S.M. Asaduzzaman*
Jessore area, situated in the south-western part of Bangladesh, is one of the potential areas for vegetable production
throughout the year. These vegetables are produced abundantly during winter which is mild in nature and extends from
mid October to mid February. Jute (Corchorus olitorius) the principal foreign exchange earner crop of the country, is
also grown in this region during April to August. The region faces an acute shortage of quality jute seeds. The farmers
follow traditional systems which does not ensure them the desired jute seed. The region also experiences an acute
shortage of fuel. Considering the above facts, the present on-farm experiment on late jute seed production along with
some winter vegetables was conducted at the Farming Systems Research (FSR) site, Bagherpara, Jessore during the year
1989 and 1990 to evaluate the performance of jute seed production through late seeding method as sole and intercropped
situation with winter vegetables. It was observed that the maximum jute seed was produced (1273 and 1757 kg/ha) from
jute radish intercropping where radish (Raphanus sativus) yielded 12 and 13 t/ha of vegetable (root). The gross return
and gross margin was found the maximum with jute-radish intercropping in 1989 and jute-spinach in 1990 due to the
higher market price of spinach (Spinacia oleracia) in 1990 than that of 1989. The benefit cost ration of jute-lalshak
(Amaranthus gangeticus) intercropping was the higher in both the year (11.82 and 13.64) due to its lower seed cost than
other vegetables and minimum requirement of fertilizer. In this system more than 4.0 t/ha of jute stick obtained for fuel
because there are acute cooking fuel shortages in the rural area of Bangladesh. So, this intercropping system can provide
quality jute seed, vegetables and fuel for rural areas.
Intercropping Cassava (Manihot esculenta) with Protein-Rich Annuals and
Estimates of Nutritive Returns
H.C. Ezumah*
A diagnostic survey of a community in Southern Nigeria revealed that over 90% of the inhabitants grew cassava,
Manihot esculenta, which was also the main item in their diets, including weaning rations. Malnutrition symptoms were
high, particularly among babies and school age children. Adults also showed malnutrition symptoms as exhibited in
distribution of weight for height of men and women.
An on-farm research program was initiated in 1987 to resolve the acute nutritional problems. Improved maize, cowpea
and soybean were introduced as components of crop mixture in the dominant cassava-based system. Results of these
studies which show possibility for alternative protein-rich foods, and potential for diet improvement, without reducing
the yield of the major cash crop, cassava, is presented.
Testing Modified Stability Analysis with Biophysical Process Models
Peter E. Hildebrand*
Biophysical process models simulate plant growth of known cultivars for an indefinite number of soil and climatic
conditions. Socioeconomic factors influencing environment such as date of planting and plant population can also be
incorporated. Proponents of Modified Stability Analysis argue that under certain conditions, one year's on-farm research
data are sufficient to evaluate the relationships of various treatments (such as cultivars or fertilizer applications) in a
number of natural or biophysically created environments. DSSAT models were used to generate simulated on-farm
research data to test the hypothesis: If in the first year, 1) the range of Els (environmental index) is at least as great as
the mean of Els, 2) the range of Els approximates a normal range (it was not an unusually good or bad year throughout
Oral presentation abstracts 20
the research domain), and 3) the distribution of Els is fairly uniform (not skewed towards the better or poorer
environments) then the relationships between the treatments will be stable within the research domain over years.
On-Farm Evaluation of Growth Performance, Lopping Regimes and Nutrient
Contents of Common Fodder Tree Species: A Methodological and Management
Study from Nepal
Madhav Bahadur Karki*
Three villages with crop-livestock-tree based agroforestry systems were selected in Nepal to develop an improved fodder
tree management practices. Suitable trees of six fodder species were leased from the farmers for a five year period.
Farmers were trained in the basic concepts of tree research and were involved in deciding the number and type of
management treatments to be applied to his/her trees. In terms of height and diameter growth, species were significantly
different from each other. A.lakoocha was significantly higher than other species. The four lopping intensities did not
produce significant differences in the dry foliage weight. Three sites Hetauda, Tanahu and Pokhara were also found
not significantly different in total foliage weight. The farmers' preference of fodder trees was based on milk yielding
capacity of the foliage when fed to the lactating buffalos. In general, the farmers' choice was found to be related to
higher crude protein (CP) and lower cellulose contents. The preferred species also had high dry matter (DM) content.
Ficus hispida had the highest percentage of CP content at all the three sites followed by A.lakoocha. Dry matter and
organic matter were not significantly (p=0.05) different while CP, lignin and cellulose contents were so among six
fodder species. Farmer participated on-farm research was concluded to have immediate applicability.
The Wisconsin Integrated Cropping Systems Trial: Bridging the Gap Between
Station Research, the Producer, and the Consumer
Joshua L. Posner*
The growing public debate on the impact of agriculture on the environment presents new challenges to the agricultural
community. Not only is there little agreement on how to measure the environmental effects of agriculture, but in a
polarized community there are few forums available for open discussion of these issues. In addition, the adoption
practices that may have proven, long-term positive effects, may not be possible in the current system which is dominated
by short-term economic concerns.
To address these issues, a coalition of interested farmers, researchers (State and non-Governmental), and extension
agents was formed at two sites in southern Wisconsin in 1989. A cropping systems trial was designed that compares six
different agricultural land management systems. The systems range from a high-input continuous corn to intensive
rotational grazing. In the short-term (4-6 years), the trial will quantify some of the costs of adopting alternative
production systems. In the longer term (12-16 years), the trial will identify the economic and environmental
sustainability of each system. The group anticipates however, that the results of comparing production strategies would
highlight "trade-offs" rather than identify a "winner", so the debate engendered by the trial would be as important as the
results themselves.
Therefore, the group decided that the project should serve both as a source of research
information on farming practices, as well as an agent to draw the community together in a common quest for a
prosperous and environmentally sound agricultural sector. Out of this effort to "close the gap" between research,
producers, and the larger community, was born the concept of "Learning Centers" and the Wisconsin Integrated
Cropping Systems Trial (WICST). Toward achieving these goals, three types of field activities have been initiated: 1) a
core cropping systems trial; 2) component-specific satellite trials and environmental monitoring; and 3) on-farm
demonstration research and field surveys. The accompanying educational program has focused on expanding the circle
of producers that come to the Learning Centers for information, as well as attracting a new, non-farm audience to the
Centers. To accomplish this, a wider range of technologies are being discussed at field days, field days for urban groups
have been organized, and educational modules for students are under development. It is felt that gradually these Centers
will achieve the status of important, impartial, local sources of information on agro-ecologically sound farming practices.
Oral presentation abstracts 21
The combination of different occupations and political outlooks of the coalition, has resulted in two county teams that
are in unique positions to facilitate and guide the debate on the future directions of Wisconsin Agriculture.
Systems Perspectives in Sustainable Development
Presenter: John Farrington
Evolving Crop-Livestock Farming System in the Humid Zone of West Africa:
Potential and Research Needs
MA. Jabbar*
Cattle rearing in humid West Africa was nearly impossible in the past due to the prevalence of trypanosomiasis, a disease
caused by tsetse fly. However, in recent times, with population pressure, jungle clearance, crop cultivation and tsetse
control measures, the challenge has been reduced. Consequently there has been an influx of transhumant cattle rearers
who used to visit the zone for dry season grazing and return to the safer sub-humid/semiarid zones in the Wet season.
An increasing number of them have started settling in the humid zone and adopt crop-livestock mixed farming. There is
also a tendency among some local crop farmers to gradually adopt livestock in the farming system. Consequently,
production, consumption, marketing and life pattern of these farmers are contributing to the evolution of a new farming
system in the zone.
The potential of this evolving farming system is examined in the light of historical evidence elsewhere in the world and
local information. Its implications for systems oriented research by national and international centres are also examined.
Farming Systems Research in Bangladesh: Its Progress and Future Strategies
Pradip Ranjan Kar*
Efforts were made through Farming Systems Research to improve the existing farming systems by developing cropping
patterns suitable for different farm categories and ecological regions, determining cropping pattern based fertilizer
recommendations, identifying appropriate component technologies for improvement of the existing cropping systems,
improving the homestead production systems and studying the crop-livestock interactions. After thorough field studies
and multilocation testing during the 1st few years, FSR has developed more than 100 improved technologies. Out of the
100 technologies, 52 have been prioritized and 7 have been synthesized and accepted as mature technologies for large
scale dissemination. The homestead vegetable production technology is in more than 8500 homesteads. Similarly,
spaced transplanting of sugarcane (STP) technology has been covered over an area of more than 3000 hectares.
Vegetative propagation of Sesbania rostrata and rice shrimp culture in boro rice has doubled the productivity. The
number of chicken deaths has been reduced through vaccination. Rice cum fish culture, back yard pond culture and
pond fisheries have created impact among the farmers. The present strategies in FSR include aspects like increasing
production through crop diversification; improving family nutrition through homestead gardening; poultry and milk
production; and improved fodder supply and cattle health. Attention has also been given to household fuel management
by introducing multipurpose trees and improving efficiency of fuel use and conserving natural resources. Farmers' risk
management is given proper consideration to improve their resource base and develop technologies for less favourable
and risk-prone areas. There is adequate emphasis on improving sustainability of farming systems by increasing
production as well as profitability, organic matter recycling and other soil fertility management practices. Poor and
marginal farmers and women are the centre of focus in all these activities. Diversification in enterprises have generated
income from activities in the homestead. Access to food and other civic amenities by poor farmers are being explored
through alternative income generating activities and rational use of their resources. Several research projects have been
taken up to look into the role of women in family welfare.
Oral presentation abstracts 22
Mining for Insect Pest Management Nuggets from Farming Systems Research in
Tropical Asian Rice Agroecosystems
James A. Litsinger*
Insect pest management strategies encompass complex technologies and many interactions can occur, often counter-
intuitive, between various pest groups and the tactics to control them. The farming systems research (FSR) approach to
integrating pest management tactics into equally complex tropical agroecosystems is advocated particularly if 1)
additional crops or enterprises will be added, 2) changes in the temporal or spatial structure of systems are envisioned, or
3) a strategy to increase the crop's tolerance to pest damage through crop husbandry practices is to be developed.
Teamwork is needed to seek interactions at the crop or systems level which benefit the whole system. Management
strategies were described for four farming systems. 1. Irrigated multi-rice crop systems a rice-free period prevents
insect pest buildup while integrated crop management practices help modem rices tolerate pest damage. 2. Rice-fish
culture the symbiotic relationship that exists is in part due to the biocontrol activity of fish. 3. Rice-wheat system -
returning organic matter to the soil may be the key to sustainable yield and elimination of secondary pest outbreaks from
increasing use of inorganic nitrogen fertilizer. 4. Upland rice systems early planting with high seeding rates and good
fertility management are the keys to escape insect pest populations and allow the plant to tolerate damage. As a number
of the soil pests have long life cycles, controlling them in one crop offers benefits for more than one crop. These
examples show that there can exist a simplicity beyond complexity when following the FSR approach.
An Analysis of Rice-based Farming System: Sustainability of Traditional
Rice Varieties
Mahinda Wijeratne*
A study has been carried out to investigate the adaptability of the improved rice varieties introduced to a traditional
farming system in southern Sri Lanka. Results demonstrate that rice farmers are inclined to shift back to the long-aged
traditional rice varieties as these varieties have shown better adaptability to the specific environmental conditions found
in the area. In fact, the traditional varieties sustain well in water excess and saline conditions. Agronomically they are
resistant to common pests and diseases and further, their vigorous growth controls the weed population. Hence,
comparatively, they demand low external inputs. Next, their high photo-period sensitivity results in early maturity when
the short days are experienced early in the year. The large quantity of stubble available after the harvest serves as a
natural food for buffaloes. However, albeit the traditional rice varieties are much appropriate to this farming system,
farmers could not find pure seeds for their cultivation because at present, varieties are mixed to a great extent. Based on
the empirical evidence, this paper demonstrates the adaptability of improved and traditional rice varieties to the agro-
ecological conditions prevailing in this farming system and further, discusses the socio-economic consequences of
different varietal adoption.
Oral presentation abstracts 23
Concurrent Sessions
Linkages and Impact: Station Research
Presenter: Akinwunmi Adesina
Diffusion, Adoption and Economic Impacts of Modern Rice Varieties
in West Africa: Further Results from Guinea and Sierra Leone
Akinwunmi Ayodeji Adesina* and Moses M. Zinnah
The West Africa Rice Development Association (WARDA), conducted a major study during the 199-/91 crop season, to
determine the diffusion, adoption and economic impacts of elite rice mangrove swamp varieties in West Africa. The
study was conducted in Sierra Leone and Guinea respectively. In our earlier paper presented at this Conference in 1991,
we focused only on the econometric results of the factors affecting the adoption of modem mangrove rice varieties in
Sierra Leone. With the completion of the data analysis is for both countries, we now extend the results of our findings to
cover the actual economic impacts of the adoption of these varieties in both Guinea and Sierra Leone.
In this paper, we pool the data from both Sierra Leone and Guinea and present new quantitative results on the
differential (a) diffusion patterns; (b) actual levels of adoption; (c) farm-level, regional and national economic impacts of
the adoption of modem rice varieties; and (d) patterns of researcher-farmer-extension linkages in both countries. In
addition, econometric models of farmer's adoption behavior, using pooled cross-sectional data from both Guinea and
Sierra Leone are also presented. They confirm our earlier results on Sierra Leone presented at the 1991 Conference, that
the factors affecting the adoption of these varieties have been farmers' perceptions of the inherent qualitative traits of the
varieties and not the farm and farmer specific factors generally argued in the adoption-diffusion literature. The broad
implications of the results of this multi-country study for rice technology development and extension programs in West
Africa are derived.
A Study on the Status of Farming Systems and on Station Research
Linkages in Bangladesh
Md. Sadrul Amin* and R.N. Mallick
Farming Systems and On Station research linkages from 1980 to 1990 have been studied in terms of experimental
parameter interpretations in Bangladesh. The main objective of the study was to find out the ways for increasing the
utility of research-developed agro-technologies. The data showed only 10-15% linkages between the FSR and on-station
research divisions. Fertilizer efficiency studies by various divisions incorporated only 0-8.5% of soil fertility
parameters, resulting in very limited scope for interpreting the research outputs. The data suggests 35%, 35%, and 30%
linkages in each set of crop experiments, respectively, for crops, soils, and farming interactions, in order to sustain the
increased agricultural productivity arising from Farming Systems Research. A program guideline has been suggested for
soil productivity research which has been found to improve the research process by establishing more linkages with on-
station research. The mandatory internal and inter-institutional research program reviews by one National Agricultural
Research System (NARS) were suggested to be the best alternative approach for Farming Systems Research and
Development in Bangladesh.
Oral presentation abstracts 24
The Selective Approaches to Effective Linkages Between Agricultural
Research and Extension in Korea
Min Ho Choi*
The purposes of the presentation are to analyze the situations and problems with linkage between agricultural research
and extension in Korea and to suggest the effective approaches in terms of the theories and principles of Farming
Systems Research-Extension (FSRE).
Korean agriculture and rural society have been changed to commercial farming from self-sufficient farming system since
1980, facing with international open market system and social change. Nevertheless agricultural research and extension
in Korea are not to meet the new need of rural farmers.
It seems that the linkage between agricultural research and extension goes well, as both functions have been carried by
one agency under Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, but there are many problems to be improved.
The agricultural research in Korea is more linked with agricultural administration than with farmers' problems. And
extension services do not have professional competence for commercial farming and do not operate any formal
committee for farmers' participation in planning process. The extension workers hesitate to accept the results and
findings suggested by agricultural research institutes because of lack of adaptability and usefulness for the field.
Three approaches to solve these problems in view of FSRE philosophy will be stated as follows:
1) Establishment of subject matter specialist system
2) Formation and operation of the committee for linkage between research and extension
3) Organization of the committee for Farming Systems Research Extension at the local level
Institutional Linkages that Enhance the Value of On-Farm
Research for Smallholder Farmers: The Zimbabwe Experience
Enos Mutambu Shumba*
Causes of low crop yields in the smallholder farming sector of Zimbabwe include its general location in semi-arid areas;
shortages of farmer resources; insufficient backup from research; and poor communication between institutions involved
in smallholder agriculture. Institutions that enhance the value of research for smallholder farmers were identified by
constructing a matrix that listed relevant institutions and their linkage functions. This was followed by ranking the
relative importance of each linkage institution and function. The National Agricultural Extension Service and
smallholder farmer organizations were the important linkage institutions while researchable problem identification and
technology assessment and dissemination were the key linkage functions.
Approaches adopted by the Department of Research and Specialist Services to strengthen its linkages with the extension
service and smallholder farmer organizations since national independence in 1980, are discussed. These include on-farm
trials, farming systems research, expansion of on-station programmes with a smallholder farmer focus and improving the
research-extension dialogue. Notable achievements from such linkage mechanisms have been the improved priority
setting for on-farm and on-station projects; initiation of new on-station programmes such as intercropping and
agroforestry; and substantial increases in farm crop yields.
Relevance of FSR/E Linkage with Station Research
Ramagya Thakur *
Technology developed and perfected at research stations has hardly been adopted in risk prone 15 m. ha. rainfed
lowland/deepwater rice ecosystems in Eastern Indian states. Traditional agriculture is generally in practice. Productivity
is poor which affects millions of farming families whose staple food is rice. Efforts of TOT methods based on push in
approach over two decades have not helped achieve adoption of modem technology. Lab to land, expts. on cultivators
field projects conceived at national level too did not change the scenario.
Oral presentation abstracts 25
FSR approach has core features to involve farmers as partners in research process from the beginning, to diagnose the
problems and use their wisdom in formulation and testing the farm experiments. This helps to modify the available
technology on feedback and has direct linkage with station research. Experience with working on these environments in
farmers' fields has led us to identify some genotypes capable of withstanding the rigour of flood or drought. It has been
felt that testing the available culture/variety in farm experiments had limitations as they have primarily been bred and
selected at research stations.
An alternative approach to link farm experimentation with research system was discussed at East India Breeders'
Workshop. The author's experience of working in the FSR Project was shared and finally it has been proposed to screen
the segregating materials at farmers field at least for 2-3 generations and then direct selections at research station.
Genotypes developed through this process will have adaptability to withstand the fluctuating environments and will be
amenable to management. The approach is an ideal linkage between "upstream" and "downstream" FSR for location
specific risk prone environments.
Study of Application of Target Grouping in Agricultural Extension
on the Loess Plateau in Northwestern China
Xiaohu Zhang*
The "Top-Down" system has been guideline for China's extension network for many years, which led serious lack of
feedback from farmers. All farmers were treated equal over large areas. In fact, farmers are different. Agricultural
extension has to face this fact under new political environment after the "Open Door" policy was introduced.
Target grouping can be applied to categorize farmers into different groups in order to speed extension and improve
extension quality. Many extension researches show extension is a communication between extension and farmers.
Therefore, there are many elements involved. The most important elements are source (extension) and receiver (farmer).
Receiver categories, therefore, are very important to successful communication.
This study was designed to apply communication model and target grouping in agricultural extension in China to
develop some ideas of having better understandings of farmers, and how they are categorized into different groups.
Extension has to seek different information to different farmers by different approaches (channels).
The results show there are significant differences between three townships in terms of farming pattern, social status,
education level, extension problem and expectation. These differences can be applied in extension planning and
implementation to suit local condition, needs and problems. The extension priority can be allocated according to their
differences to promote agricultural extension and rural development. Township 1, Township 2 and Township 3 have
different crops and livestock with different farm sizes. But they have the same problems in crops, different problems in
livestock. Their expectations for extension and problems in extension are also different associated with farmer education
level and social status. Township 2 expects more "educational approaches" such as field instruction, village and brigade
extension services. All these differences give us indications that different extension methods, different technologies
should be taken into account.
This study was conducted in 1990-1991 in QingYang Prefecture, Gansu Province, China. Three Townships were
selected from XingFeng City and QingYang County in the prefecture.
Oral presentation abstracts 26
Linkages and Impact: Public and Private Extension
Presenter: Rita Joldersma
FSR and NGO: Partner for Sustainable Development for Resource-Poor Farmer
Subash Kanti Dasgupta* and R.N. Mallick
Over the two decades more than 130 mature technologies have been developed through FSR that are now waiting for
dissemination. Bangladesh is facing now serious problems in technology transfer systems. Existing public extension
system alone cannot help to overcome these problems. There is a prime need to organize an efficient interdisciplinary
support service for mobilizing credit, material input supply and channelizing marketing to facilitate the rapid technology
transfer to the end users. NGOs could help in this regard because their area of activities has been extended to 335
subdistricts out of the 460 and developed a vast network of credit program across the country. To achieve the goal,
NGOs adopt a holistic approach to rural development that is similar to FSR approach. So FSR and NGO can influence
each other towards the accomplishment of the goals of the development. Recently National Agricultural Research
System of Bangladesh has developed a new approach of technology development transfer utilization system where
NGOs, private organizations and other VOs have been included as partner. This is a completely new approach and can
be expanded to other member countries of Asia. The wholesale-retail model of technology transfer has been accepted by
donors and other concerned parties. How FSR technology is being transferred successfully following this model has
been discussed in detail. Some other possible areas of interventions have also been identified where NGO and FSR
could work together. Besides this, public and NGOs extension approach has been compared and later found superior.
Linkage with NGO: Experience of Bangladesh Livestock Research
Institute with Proshika MUK
Md. Shamsul Haq* and Mafizul Islam
Solving problems restraining the growth and development of livestock at the small farm level and establishment of
strong extension-research linkage are the important mandates of Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI). In
rural Bangladesh, it is usually the landless/marginal farmers and women who engage in livestock activities. But
livestock is best with myriads of problems at both technical and institutional levels. Among others, orthodox
management practices by farmers are the major technical problems and inadequate knowledge about field problems by
technical personnel limit their capabilities to handle them effectively. At the institutional level, limited outreach
infrastructural facilities of the extension department, orientation for monitoring and limited availability of transferable
technology are the serious restraints. NGOs are well organized and have better regimentation for extension work. A
number of NGOs, notably Proshika Manobik Unnayan Kendra (Proshika MUK) includes livestock in its work
programme, but this programme has suffered from a lack of technical support and problems have consequently been
encountered during its implementation. All these are precisely related to the absence of extension-research linkage in
this sub-sector. BLRI established linkage with Proshika MUK in late 1989 with a view to 1) develop feed-back
mechanisms for continuous flow of information among scientists, Proshika field workers and farmers to identify
livestock husbandry problem, test new technologies and refine indigenous technologies, 2) devise and test viable and
sustainable models for improved methods of livestock rearing which will increase income and nutrition of farmers and
their families, 3) encourage and promote greater participation of Proshika members in livestock husbandry. A principal
purpose of this collaboration is to increase technical literacy of the farmers in raising livestock within their resource
constraints and help generate income and reduce under employment. It was apprehended that linkage with Proshika
MUK might lead to the following risks: 1) discrepancies in ensuring productivity, stability, sustainability and
equalibility of the technology performance, 2) imbalance in agro-ecological system if technologies are introduced
without careful analysis, 3) interference in the indigenous technologies without methodological analysis of farmers'
socio-economic conditions, 4) failure to develop better humane relationship with the farmers which may seriously
restrain motivation of farmers towards accepting the technology, 5) indifference towards patient hearing of farmers'
problems and their ideas about solutions, 6) gap in building working relationship between Proshika staff, research
scientists and farmers. The risks arose to certain extent but those were averted through 1) careful planning and designing
of the project involving Proshika MUK and BLRI with possible advice from expatriate or local experts, 2) quarterly
review of the activities by the project Steering Committee, 3) monthly coordination meetings by the Proshika workers,
Oral presentation abstracts 27
BLRI staff and group farmers' representative, 4) formal and informal training to BLRI and Proshika staff and group
farmers 5) provide adequate incentives to concerned workers and facilitate mobility. Based on location-specific needs
and priorities the research projects are prepared jointly by BLRI scientists and Proshika Technical personnel which are
reviewed by the BLRI Task Force consisting of multidisciplinary
team of scientists. Monitoring and evaluation are done by the Programme Coordinators and the Project Steering
Committee. Favourable impacts of this linkage are: 1) development of sense of understanding and participation, 2)
enhancement of income for the landless/marginal farmers and women through small holder goal, improved poultry and
duck rearing, 3) sustained interest for adoption of cost-effective technologies, 4) development of technical know-how for
the Proshika staff and farmers. Linkage of other component institutes with NGOs is called for to develop and transfer
sustainable technologies for the wellbeing of the rural farming communities.
Linking FSR, Extension and Other Development Organizations at the Local
Level: Some Approaches Used in Botswana
G.M. Heinrich* and E. Modiakgotla
In Botswana, FSR is conducted by the Production Systems Research Program (PSP) in the Department of Agricultural
Research. The PSP is now encouraging regional FSR teams within the country to adopt and implement some basic
linkage mechanisms to integrate FSR fully into local agricultural development efforts. The primary mechanism for this
is the Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC). This is an informal committee, co-chaired by the senior research and
extension officers within a region. RCCs normally include representatives from all government departments directly
involved in agricultural development within the region. They also include non-governmental organization (NGOs). The
RCCs meet quarterly to discuss work plans, progress, results, and to jointly address any major development issues that
overlap departments. RCCs have been operating in two locations since April 1991 and initiatives are in progress to start
them this year in two other locations. Though informal, they provide a channel of communication between departments,
avoid duplication of efforts, and generally assist the departments to operate in an organized and mutually supportive
way. Examples of linkages between FSR and other departments, developed through the RCCs, are presented in the
paper. Regarding research-extension linkages specifically, the RCCs allow for extension input in regional research
planning and evaluation of results, assist in identifying priority research issues, and allow for the joint planning of
training and demonstration programs. Examples of these are also presented in the paper.
The participation of NGOs in the RCCs is extremely useful. NGOs are more flexible than government departments in
the types of activities they can undertake. They have access to different sources of funding, and community-based
NGOs ar often well situated to support and expand extension activities. Thus NGOs can be very useful in filling in gaps
in the development process. (Examples are given in the paper). NGOs become more effective when they receive
technical support from government departments, so the association is mutually beneficial. The RCCs provide a
mechanism whereby NGOs can be linked with research and extension, and incorporated into a comprehensive regional
development program. In one region of Botswana, a pilot program is under way in which the FSR team, extension
personnel and an NGO are collaborating to provide an agricultural supplies outlet and a privately funded, intensified
extension effort focused on the rural poor and female-headed households, in the NGOs catchment area. This program is
described further in the paper.
Integrating FSR into National Extension System: A Case of Bangladesh
Indrajit Roy* and M.A. Hamid Miah
One of the major challenges facing Farming Systems Research (FSR) in Bangladesh is how to integrate FSR into the
country's mainstream extension services. FSR sites operating in different agro-ecological environments offered
opportunity for scientists to come in close contact with farmers and extension personnel. This type of communication
resulted in more apprehension by scientists of the farmers' need in the process of technology development. But the
institutional framework for transfer of technology was hardly adequate to facilitate dissemination of FSR technologies, to
the farmers. In an attempt to pilot FSR technologies through the extension network, a technology transfer monitoring
unit (TTMU) has been set up at BARC. TTMU supports diffusion of FSR technologies to different public-private-NGO
extension agencies through publishing fact sheets, arranging meetings and discussions among different groups interested
in new agricultural technology, and participating in technical committee meetings. Till now, TTMU facilitated transfer
Oral presentation abstracts 28
of 12 technologies to the extension system. This paper focuses on approaches and methods that TTMU uses in transfer
of FSR technologies to public and private sector extension agencies.
Research-Extension Liaison Officers (RELO's) are a common feature in FSR/E programs. However, RELO's often
have difficulty fulfilling their responsibilities because typically they have to rely on other people's goodwill. Informal,
but regular meetings between department heads at the local level provides a more direct and powerful link.
The sustainability of the RCC's is enhanced by the shared chairmanship, and by the fact that participation can yield
considerable benefits to individual departments.
Linkages and Impact: Policy
Presenter: Eduardo Zaffaroni
Sustainability in Perspective: Strengths and Limitations of FSRE in
Contributing to a Sustainable Agriculture
Larry Harrington*
Agricultural researchers, including FSRE practitioners, are finding themselves paying ever-increasing attention to the
theme of "sustainability". This theme, however, is exceedingly complex. FSRE's contribution to fostering a sustainable
agriculture is widely viewed in terms of an expansion in research scope. Such a limited approach, however, may
trivialize important issues. The concept of sustainability may be interpreted in terms of agroecological resilience,
intergenerational equity, or favorable trends in both agricultural productivity and the quality of the agricultural resource
base. Sustainability problems in agriculture may be further distinguished as being internal vs. external; as reversible vs.
irreversible; or as questions of public health vs. agricultural productivity. For most sustainability issues, policy appears
to be more powerful tool than FSRE: however, FSRE can be useful in informing policymakers. FSRE is thought by
many to be best suited to addressing internal, reversible issues of sustainability, e.g., land degradation, through "direct"
farm-level interventions. Some suggestions for improving the effectiveness of FSRE in this "direct approach" are given.
Other potential contributions of FSRE towards sustainability in agriculture are commonly ignored. These include
"adaptive approaches", in which farming systems are tailored to a resource base that has already become degraded, and
"preventive approaches", in which FSRE helps prevent resource degradation in marginal areas by fostering employment
and increased incomes in favored areas. Effective contributions by FSRE through "preventive approaches", however,
may require FSRE practitioners to reassess widely-held values regarding the process of agricultural development,
including the use of external inputs and the role of trade.
Constraints and Policy Measures for Effective Enterprise
Combination in Bangladesh
Mesbahul Alam Quazi*
Effective enterprise combination is essential for mixed system of production within the farming system approach.
Unfortunately, the production agents in this system cannot work efficiently due to numerous constraints in enterprise
combination and other related activities. In Bangladesh, constraints in enterprise combination in many folds in the past
as well as in the present precludes farming system approach to achieve desired objectives. In this study an attempt has
been made to pinpoint the important constraints and policy measure for effective enterprise combination in Bangladesh.
Data for this study was gathered both from primary and secondary sources. A field survey for this purpose was
conducted in several farm sites of northern part of Bangladesh in the year 1990-91. Data revealed that production is
primarily based on crop enterprise and farm income generated from this source alone constituted about three-fourths of
the total income generated at farm level. This is a clear indication of crop based farming system in Bangladesh. But
success of farm production approached by farming system concept is apparently impossible unless it covers the whole
system of farming including both crop and other enterprises like livestock, fish, etc. The major problems: 1) lower level
of capital at farm level; 2) lack of knowledge in decision-making and enterprise combination; 3) riskness and inefficient
Oral presentation abstracts 29
management ability from producers' point of view; 4) lack of resource flow at farm level and inadequate market
facilities; and 5) limited risk bearing ability and inadequate institutional support to the producers. Important policy
measures: 1) Suitable technologies with adequate infrastructural support system; 2) adequate capital flow to the
producers combining all the productive enterprises; 3) gearing up extension and management services to the producers;
4) appropriate training for proper decision-making and combination knowledge to the producers; 5) producers' risk
bearing ability to be enhanced through farm loans and insurance.
Farming Systems and Markets Combining Analytical Frameworks for the
Development of Commodity Sub-Systems: The Case of Maize in Southern Mali
Bino Teme* and Duncan Boughton
An important justification for the funding of farming systems research and extension programs is that they speed up the
process of technology adoption by farmers. However, the widespread adoption of improved technology can often be
curtailed by constraints in marketing additional output. The policy trend toward market liberalization in many countries,
involving the withdrawal of guaranteed prices and state-funded marketing services, presents new constraints and
opportunities for technology development. Yet many FSR/E programs are ill-equipped to deal with marketing issues,
and often consider them peripheral to the primary task of alleviating production constraints in an environmentally
sustainable and gender-sensitive manner. This is unfortunate since the methods and analytical frameworks for marketing
and FSR/E have much in common. The lack of integration has more to do with barriers in the organizational structure of
agricultural research and development agencies than fundamental differences in methods or approach.
This paper has three objectives: 1) to compare and contrast the methodological frameworks for FSR/E and the
subsystem or "filiere" approach to marketing; 2) to show how the frameworks can be integrated by an historical case
study of the evolution of maize production and marketing in Southern Mali over the period 1975 1990; and 3) to
consider the constraints to, and possibilities for, organizational innovation to improve the linkage between FSR/E and
marketing research efforts.
The case of maize in Southern Mali is a particularly appropriate illustration. Area and production increased rapidly
during the early 1980s, in response to an integrated promotion program involving input supply and credit, focused
extension efforts, and a guaranteed price. At farm-level, this expansion had implications for food security, the workload
of women, soil fertility, and the use of animal traction. Following the liberalization of cereal prices in 1986, and the
curtailment of credit and marketing services, farmers encountered serious difficulties in marketing maize. Possibilities
for enhancing the stability of the market, including greater farmer involvement in marketing activities, are considered
together with implications for agronomic research.
Oral presentation abstracts 30
Poster Presentations
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
Systems Perspectives in Sustainable Development
Tuesday 1:30 3:00 pm
Ahmed, Mahfuzuddin ICLARM, Philippines
Feasibility of Adopting Aquaculture without Detriment to Existing Farming Practices A Case of Bangladesh
Farming Systems
Alessi, R. USDA-ARS-North Central Soil Conservation Laboratory, USA
Farmer and Scientist Participation in the Design of the Farm Information System, FARMSYS/Farmbook
Ali, Md Yusuf Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Bangladesh
Development of Sustainable Cropping Systems for Land Rainfed Area
Almy, Susan IRRI, Bangladesh
Agricultural Machinery Development in Farming System Teams
Andreatta, Susan Michigan State University, USA
Trees and More Trees: Developing Alternative Agrosilvopastoral Farming Systems Among
Jamaican Small-Scale Farmers
Andrews, Mary Michigan State University, USA
Human Resources: Impacts on the Sustainability of Family-Farming Systems
Baker, Doyle International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Cameroon
Research Policy Analysis: System Dynamics and Sustainability
Bhuktan, Jit P. and Glenn L. Denning IRRI, Philippines
Analysing Farming System Organization Using Productive Protective Framework: A Case of Nepal
Coppock, David, G.A. Rasmussen, G.K. Perrier, and J.R. Moris Utah State University, USA
Towards a Framework for a Farming-Systems Research Approach in Rural Utah
Coughenour, Charles and Vellorimo Suminguit University of Kentucky, USA
Use of an Agroecosystem Perspective to Expand Strategies for Improving Watershed Sustainability
Dang, Son Kimn Mekong Delta Rice Research Institute, Vietnam
Production Systems and Farming Systems in the Mekong Delta
Das, Sita Orissa University of Agriculture & Technology, India
FSR/E Activities in Orissa (India)
Dasgupta, Subash Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, Bangladesh
Evaluation of FSR Since 1974: Toward Holistic Approach
Dharmasena, Karala Hinge University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka
Agroforestry: A Sustainable Cropping Mix for Homegardens in Southern Sri Lanka
Kelly, Terry and Peter Hildebrand University of Florida, USA
A Bioeconomic Systems Approach to Analyzing Sustainability Issues at the Farm
Level
Kshatri, Bhoi Pakhribas Agricultural Centre, Nepal
The Misunderstood Role of Livestock in the Hill Farming Systems of Nepal
Underestimated Role of Livestock and Neglected System of Animal Production "A Case of Transhumant
System of Sheep Production in the Hill Farming of Nepal
Lakra, Valeria, and R.P. Singh Birsa Agricultural University, India
Decision Making Patterns in Tribal Farming Systems
Lowenberg-Deboer, James, and Tahirou Abdoulaye INRAN/PRAAN, Niger
Incorporating Animal Traction in a Salelian Farming System: The Case of Gidan Roumdji
Meppe, Francois IRA/NCRE, Cameroon
Incorporation of Legume Species into the Maize Existing Cropping System of the Mid-Altitude Zone of
Cameroon
Moore, Keith INRA/MIAC Aridoculture Center, Morocco
Diversity and Sustainability: Complex Farming Systems in Semi-Arid Morocco
Muharminto, M., and Wayan Susila Agribusiness Studies and Development Centre, Indonesia
Rubber and Oil-Palm-Based Farming System for the Southern Sumatra Transmigration Areas
Mullins, Gary International Livestock Centre for Africa, Kenya
Implications of Market Organization and Market Policy for Farming Systems
Adaptation and Sustainability: The Case of Smallholder Dairying in Coastal Kenya
Mullins, Gary, and William Thorpe International Livestock Centre for Africa, Kenya
Factors Limiting Smallholder Dairy Development in Coastal Kenya: Results of Farming Systems Surveys
Naegel, Ludwig and Dennis P. Garrity CICESE, USA
Options Generation and Management for the Development of Sustainable Farming Systems
Seiter, Stefan, and Ray D. William Oregon State University, USA
Research Combined with Farmers' Choice Guide the Design of an Alley Cropping Experiment
Siddiqui, Md Mainur Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Bangladesh
Cropping Systems Research and Its Impact on Farm Families in Two Selected Sites of Bangladesh
Singh, Om, Ram Singh, and V. Pal Singh N.D. University of Agriculture and Technology, India
Rice-Fish Culture: A Sustainable Farming System in Risk-Prone Floating Rice Areas
Diagnosis and Farmer Participation
Tuesday 1:30 3:00 pm
Ahmed, Shafiuddin Bangladesh Agricultural University, Bangladesh
Farming Systems Research Activities on Livestock Component at Bau Sites
Angwenyi, Geoffrey University of Eastern Africa, Kenya
Impact Assessment of a Community Groups Based Smallholder Intensive Agricultural Development
Programme in the Kisii Area of Kenya
Das, Chandra Farming Systems Research Extension, India
Community Fish Farming as a Major Component for Small Farmers Towards Sustainability
Gajurel, Kishor Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Nepal
Application of Participatory Rural Appraisal Techniques in Assessing Agro-Forestry Practices Among Hill
Migrants & Aboriginal Tharus in Chitwan, Nepal
Gurung, Tek Bahadur Lumle Regional Agricultural Research Centre, Nepal
Site Selection Methodology for Sustainable FSR Strategy in the Hill Environment
Islam, Md Mafizul Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Bangladesh
Identification of Problems Through RRA in Hilltracts Region of Bangladesh
KC, Sharan Pakhribas Agricultural Centre, Nepal
Client-Identification for Agricultural Outreach in the Eastern Hills of Nepal
Khan, Md Mahbubur Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Bangladesh
Experience on Learning from Innovators in Bangladesh Context
Lynam, Timothy WWF Multispecies Animal Production Systems Project, Zimbabwe
Participatory Systems of Smallholder Farming Systems: An Example from Zimbabwe
Martin, Robert, and Adewale Johnson Alonge Iowa State University, USA
The Impact of Farmers Participation & Rural Infrastructure on Farmers' Adoption of Technology in the
Rice-Based Inland Valley Systems of Northern Nigeria
Nieuwkoop, Martien CIMMYT, Mexico
The Use of Rapid Rural Appraisals for the Planning of On-Farm Research and Extension Activities
Nkonya, Ephram Maduhu Lyamungu Agricultural Research Institute, Tanzania
Production Constraints of Maize and Bean Cropping Systems in Arumeru District, Tanzania
Siddaramaiah, Bettadahalli and Venkata Naika University of Agricultural Sciences, India
Some Aspects of Alternate Technology Use A Case from India
Thakur, Ramagya Rajendra Agricultural University, India
Critical Assessment of FSR Approaches in Risk Prone Environment
Yoc Yool, Felisa and Marco Baltensweiler DIGESA Chimaltenango, Guatemala
Adopti6n de Variedades Mejoradas de Frijol y Mafz en Tres Grupos de Agricultores del Departamento de
Chimaltenango, Guatemala. Los Tres Grupos se Distinguen en el Grado de Participaci6n en Los Equipos de
Extensi6n Agricola
Gender Analysis
Tuesday 1:30 3:00 pm
Frio, Anita L. IRRI, Philippines
Participatory Training in Gender Analysis in FSR
Jahan, Monira Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Bangladesh
Rural Women's Participation in Insect-Pest and Disease Control and Management, Ishurdi Region,
Bangladesh
Jha, Usha and D.P. Ghimire Institute of Agricultural and Animal Science, Nepal
Women's Role in Sustainable Development of Agriculture
Mtenga, Ngoyako and N.M. Mollel Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
Gender Roles in the Household and Farming Systems of Tchenzema Ward in Morogoro Region Tanzania
Paul, Dulal Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Bangladesh
Diary Cow: A Promising Enterprise for Resource Poor Farmers in Rural Bangladesh
Women's Efforts in Sustainable Goat Production in the South West Region of Bangladesh
Poubom, Christine-Fri Institute of Agronomic Research, Cameroon
Farmer Participation in Diagnosis of Constraints and Opportunities: The Focus
Village Strategy of Tlu Ekona South West Cameroon
Poudel, Baby Tribhuvan University, Nepal
Women in Forestry Related Activites: A Case Study of Dhaijan Village of Jhapa, Nepal
On-Farm Experimentation
Tuesday 3:30 5:30 pm
Cheema, Santokh and Alfred Bershep Federal Agricultural Coordinating Unit, Nigeria
Sustaining Productivity of Potato-Maize Inter-Cropping System through Developing Technology at On-
Farm Trials in Mid-Altitude Plateau of Nigeria
Doumbia, Sekou IDESSA, Ivory Coast
Agroforestry Under Climatic Uncertainty: The Case of the Central Region of the Cote D'Ivoire
Estabillo, Cornelia, Rodolfo Cornelio, Jose N. Torres, Tito S. Cornelio, and Ma Asuncions Cornelio -
Pangasinan State University, Philippines
Field Evaluation of Rice-Fish Farming System in Guimba, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
Ghildyal, Brijnandan International Rice Research Institute, India
On-Farm Experimentation Methodology for Improving Rice Productivity in Rainfed Environments
Gworgwor, Nuhu University of Maiduguri, Nigeria
On-Farm Adaptive Research: Researcher-Farmers Experiences in Productivity in Rainfed Environments
Kokate, Kiran and Hira Nand Central Potato Research Institute, India
Towards Self-Sustaining Cooperative Action Through On-Farm Potato Adaptive Experimentation
Mondal, Nur, M.S. Ahmed, M.Z. Abedin, and M.S. Aktar OFRD, Bangladesh
Tree Crop Interface in Agri-Silvicultural Systems of North-West Region in Bangladesh
Rath, Sabyasachi National Institute for Sustainable Tropical Agriculture and Human Action, India
Horticulture Based Agroforestry: A Sustainable Farming System for Smallholders in Eastern Ghat Plateau
Region of India
Sanhueza, Hugo University of Arizona, USA
The Role of FSR/E in Promoting Animal-Drawn Technology in Sub-Saharan Africa
Shah, Wajed, Madhury R. Saha, M.V. Gupta, M.A. Momin, Rezaul Karim, and M.A. Karim BARI and
ICLARM, Bangladesh
Alternatives of Inland Aquaculture Resource Maximization: Resource Use and
Option for Income Generation of Resource Poor Families in Bangladesh
Shrestha, G. K. Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Nepal
Perspectives of Vegetable Components in Farming Systems Research/Extension Site, Nepal
Thakur, Ramagya Rajendra Agricultural University, India
Art of Designing Successful Farm Trials in Risk Prone Rainfed Lowland Rice Ecosystem
Uwera, Marie Jeanne and Gaspard Gasana Institut Des Sciences Agronomiques Du Rwanda, Rwanda
How Small Farmers Manage the Risk in Adopting New Technology: Case Study of Climbing Beans in Two
Different Agro-Ecological Zones in South of Rwanda
Linkages and Impact: Station Research
Tuesday 3:30 5:30 pm
Caldwell, John and Teruo Wada Virginia Tech, USA
Farmer Participation and the Role of Prefectural Research Station Multidisciplinary Teams in On-Farm
Trials in the Einoshikenchi (Production Farm Test) Program in Japan
De Zoysa, Mangala University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka
Utilization of Linkages in Farmer Problem Identification and Transfer. A Contribution of FSR/E in Sri Lanka
Gohl, Bo Farming Systems Programme, Botswana
The "Farming Systems Programme" A Regional Programme for East and Southern Africa
Helmers, Glenn University of Nebraska, USA
An Analysis of Yield and Economic Stabilities of Continuous and Rotation Cropping Systems for East-
Central Nebraska
Nicolas, Jose International Center for Living Aquatic Resources and Management, Philippines
Lotus Macro Run Database Spreadsheet for On-Farm Economic Analysis of Rice Fish Data: A Tool
Field Researchers
Pandey, Ram Directorate for Cropping Systems Research Modipuram, India
Farming Systems Research Network An Approach in Developing Sustainable Agriculture in India
Taonda, Jean Baptiste Institut D'Etudes et Des Recherches Agricoles, Burkina Faso
Extending an FSR Approach: Linkages to Thematic Research and Extension in Burkina Faso
Tirkey, Krushdhari and Satish Prasad Birsa Agricultural University, India
Linkages with Station Research in Eastern India
Linkages and Impact: Public and Private Extension
Tuesday 3:30 5:30 pm
Halim, Abdul Bangladesh Agricultural University, Bangladesh
Diffusion of FSR Technology in Bangladesh
Islam, Md Kamrul Regional Agricultural Research Station, Bangladesh
Supply Pattern of Feed, Fodder, and Forage Under Normal and Stress Situation: Analysis of Farm Level
Data
Moussie, Menwuyellet National Cereals Research & Extention Project-IITA, Cameroon
Farm Level Evauluation of Adoption and Retention of a Technology
Navascues, Belinda The Network Foundation Inc, Philippines
Community Based Integrated Technology Transfer for Sustainable Upland Agriculture
Ogunfiditimi, Gegeolanisimi University of Ibadan, Nigeria
The Total Extension System (TES): A Unique Technique for Involving Grassroot Participation in Sustainable
Development Programs
Portice, George Michigan State University, USA
Improving Financial Management by Reducing Dairy Feed Costs with Quality Forage
Quiroz, Consuelo Universidad de Los Andes, Venezuela
Methodology for the Study of Farmers Local "Indigenous" Knowledge Systems in FSR/EPrograms: In Service
Training Program for Research/Extension Practitioners An Experience from Venezuela
Razzaque, Abdur Md Crop Diversification Programme, Bangladesh
Transfer of Farming System Technologies through Crop Diversification Program in Bangladesh
Sharma, Ram B. Rajendra Agricultural University, India
Assessment of En Bloc On-Farm Experimentation Approach in the Gandak Command of Bihar, India
Singal, Sat and Kashmiri Arora Haryana Agricultural University, India
Haryana Farmers Scientists and Extensionists Interaction and Collaborative On-Farm Technology Transfer
and Evaluation
Linkages and Impact: Policy
Tuesday 3:30 5:30 pin
Adesina, Akinwunmi WARDA, Cote D'Ivoire
Women Rice Farmers in West Africa: A Critical Review with Implications for "Gender Sensitive" Technology
Development Strategies
Baker, Doyle International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Cameroon
Research Policy Analysis: Rates of Return Studies
Burpee, Gaye Michigan State University, USA
The Role of Ecosystem Inventories in Evaluating the Sustainability of Subsistence Farming/Fishing
Systems: A Case Study from the Dominican Republic
Doebel, Reinald University of Zambia, Zambia
FSR in University Training an Experiment at the School of Agriculture,
University of Zambia
Alternative Approaches to FSRE Likely Consequences of the Introduction of Increased Competition
Kabore, Daniel Institut d'Etudes et de Recherches Agricoles, Burkina Faso
Integrating Farm-Based Policy Analysis in Farming Systems Research Through Institutional
Collaboration: The Burkina Faso Experience
Macansantos, Rosello ANIAD Foundation, Philippines
Go-Ngo Collaboration as Equal Partners in a Community Based Agroforestry Program: Lessons from
Antique, Philippines
Miah, Muhammad and R.N. Mallick Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council, Bangladesh
Management of Client Oriented Farming System In Holistic Model
Minde, Isaac Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania
Needs and Strategies for Farming Systems Approach (FSA) Training in Agricultural Training Institutions in
Eastern and Southern Africa
Mudhara, Maxwell Farming Systems Research Unit, Zimbabwe
Institutionalization of the Farming Systems Approach in Zimbabwe
Niu, Shuwen and Shuji Li The Institute on Repairing Land and Agricultural Division of the Su Province, China
Rural Economy Division of Gansu Province
Prasad, Vishnubhotla Makaholi Experiment Station, Zimbabwe
Livestock Production Research and Extension for Communal Farmers of
Zimbabwe: Issues, Conflicts, and New Directions
Temu, Honest and Richard Lamboll Naliendele Agricultural Research Institute, Tanzania
Agricultural Marketing System in Tanzania A Case Study in the Cashewnut Growing Areas of Southeast
Tanzania
Tulachan, Pradeep Office of Agriculture and Rural Development-USAID, Nepal
Improving Household Income and Agricultural Productivity in Nepal
Vogel, Wolfgang and Bruce Smith SESR/ISABU, Burundi
Farming System Research at the Margin: The Case of Burundi
William, Ray, Larry Lev, and Fred Smith Oregon State University, USA
Creating Learnable Moments: Systems Approaches Change Agricultural Attitudes
Woube, Mengistu Michigan State University, USA
Impacts of Agricultural Policies on Sustainable Farming Systems: The Case of Abobo in Ethiopia
Poster Presentations
Systems Perspectives in Sustainable Development
Facilitator: John Farrington
Feasibility of Adopting Aquaculture without Detriment to Existing Farming
Practices A Case of Bangladesh Farming Systems
Mahfuzuddin Ahmed*
Integrated agriculture-aquaculture is viewed as a viable option to improve the productivity, income and resource use
efficiency under the existing farming systems in Bangladesh. It is hypothesized that such integration will not cause any
significant diversion of farm resources away from its current uses. Rather it will come through increased efficiency in
the use of such resources at the farm level. To assess the existing resource availability, use pattern and efficiency before
introducing new aquaculture technology within the existing farm systems a survey of 330 pond operating farm
households was conducted in six selected unions from two upazilas of Bangladesh. Results show that most farm
households hire labour during peak period of the agricultural crop cycles but retain abundant surplus labour in the slack
seasons. New aquaculture technologies which are flexible in terms of peak labour activity can easily make use of
surplus labour on the farm. Similarly, bio-resources and by-products such as cattle dung, chicken manure, and rice bran
are available in most households but these inputs have alternative on-farm uses. An examination of efficiency in use of
currently available on-farm resources reveal that available on-farm resources such as rice bran and chicken manure are
inefficiently used by the farm. Therefore, some reallocation of these resources into aquaculture will improve farm
efficiency.
Farmer and Scientist Participation in the Design of the Farm Information
System, FARMSYS/Farmbook
R. Samuel Alessi*
Farm information systems are often built without consulting the farm managers which ultimately use the system. Our
objective was to include farmers early in the development of a farm information system which would allow agronomic,
economic and environmental trade-off analysis. A systems engineering approach was utilized, the first phase of which
was the development of system requirements. The software methodology was of the evolutionary style where
prototypes were developed which aid in discussion.
Farm managers were included formally in 1991 and 1992. Two farm managers from West Central Minnesota were
asked to help design and to collect whole-farm data from the FARMSYS (Farm-scale Agricultural Resource
Management SYStems) computer model. Through interaction with these farm managers the Farmbook idea was
developed. Farmbook is a whole-farm data collection system that is compatible with FARMSYS. Records are kept on
pocket-sized booklets which are: 1) printed with individual farm information, and 2) structured in a manner similar to
FARMSYS. Data are collected at the field level and included machinery, site, nutrient, chemical, crop, labor and
scouting information. A simple computer program has also been developed that runs on both PC and new pocket-sized
"palm-top" computers.
Poster presentation abstracts 39
Farmers who had shown interest in FARMSYS were asked to attend a winter meeting to get their input into the design of
FARMSYS. The 1991 experience was discussed and further design requirements were gathered from the farmers. Of
the twenty farmers who attended, 13 collected 1992 data. These farmers and others will be brought together with
researchers in a winter meeting to discuss the applicability of the system and to further develop system requirements.
Two farmers will test an integrated weather station and two will test the pocket-sized PC for data collection.
Development of Sustainable Cropping System for Land Rainfed Area
Md. YusufAli*
An attempt was made to develop sustainable cropping systems for high land rainfed area during 1990-91 at Farming
Systems Research Site, Kanaipur Bangladesh. The tested pattern was broadcasted aus rice Blackgram lentil instead of
farmers Pattern Broadcast aus rice Fallow Lentil. It was observed that growing short duration (75-90 days) crops if
quire feasible in between aus rice and lentil. The results revealed that in tested pattern grain and straw yields were
increased by 97% (1060 kg/ha) and 47% (230 kg/ha) respectively than farmers pattern. This was mainly due to raising
of an extra leguminous crop (Blackgram) and its beneficial effects and subsequent crops. Total variable cost of tested
pattern was 50% ($135/ha) higher than farmers pattern. But by spending $135/ha/ year, the farmers could earn an
additional $360/ha/year. The tested pattern also gave higher benefit cost ratio with 1745% marginal rate of return.
Therefore, it was evident that agronomically, economically and for getting bulk quantity of livestock feed the tested
cropping systems might be perfectly suitable.
Agricultural Machinery Development in Farming Systems Teams
Susan W. Almy*
Agricultural machinery is a much neglected area in fanning systems research, yet improved tools, both manual and
mechanized are vital to the reduction for tedious labor, the replacement of emigrants, new and more sustainable methods
of soil preparation, and the eventual shift from agricultural to industrial economies. From the Farming Systems side, the
field of mechanical technology is too significant a factor of change to ignore. From the Engineering side, the immediate
and long-term success of tools introduction depends so much on localized social, economic and agronomic factors that
interaction with farming systems teams should be extremely important. The problem is how to bring together these two
fields, especially in countries with little agricultural engineering capacity.
IRRI has a long history of pioneering in agricultural engineering for small farmers, and together with the national
program has developed strong village level industries in the Philippines. Equipment development has been carried out
directly with artisans and small factories and cooperating farmers, largely by-passing the official extension service and
its farming systems units. It depends on strong design centers at IRRI and UPLP, with resources seldom found in the
developing world, especially in Africa, which lags far behind other continents both in quantity and ecological/economic
appropriateness of farm tools.
Madagascar's agricultural research institute, FOFIFA, uses a farming systems approach. Machinery improvements of
various types and degrees of complexity were recommended by three regional teams, and many machines (power tillers,
threshers, mini-mills, planters, weeders and light-weight plows) were imported into the country and tested with little
success. In 1992, an agricultural engineer was brought in on a 6-month contract by the Madagascar-IRRI Project to
make local adaptations of the needed equipment with the regional teams, local industrialists and blacksmiths, and farmer-
users. This paper charts the strategies used and the general requirements for engineering/farming systems collaborations.
Trees and More Trees: Developing Alternative Agrosilvopastoral Farming
Systems Among Jamaican Small-Scale Farmers
Susan Andreatta*
Information concerning local household agricultural practices, needs, local knowledge and use of the natural
environment are central to a farming systems approach. Social analyses can play an important role in accessing and
modifying small farmers' agricultural livestock production and management systems. The focus of this paper is on the
current agrosilvopastoral management system. Examining the social component of the system (specifically labor,
Poster presentation abstracts 40
technology, markets and information), as they relate to natural resource use, access, and ownership (specifically land,
tree, and water) under uncertain climatic conditions is central to developing alternative management systems.
This research is based on thirteen months of field work in a semi-arid farming community on the North coast of Jamaica.
The research was conducted among small-holder farmers and residents to the area from September 1990 to September
1991. The research is part of larger long-term project between Michigan State University Department of Forestry and
Jamaica Agricultural Research Programme designed to introduce nitrogen fixing tree legumes as forages.
Empirical observation reveals that multiple resource users are competing for natural resources. Many concerns were
voiced related to deforestation, soil erosion, soil fertility, lack of markets, increasing cost of production and increasingly
protracted dry periods. The numerous social and biological concerns raised by the farmers and residents clearly suggest
that any development in the area must recognize and address local concerns if alternative agro-silvo-pastoral
management systems are to be introduced and sustained.
Human Resources: Impacts on the Sustainability of Family-Farming Systems
Mary P. Andrews*
It is well known that the stage of one's family life cycle is a critical variable affecting investments and risk decisions in
family and farm settings. What will be presented is a family ecosystem perspective of issues and forces affecting the
family's stability and its human resource base as a contribution to farming systems. Factors such as male/female roles,
ages and opportunities for children, extended family and informal labor pools, opportunity costs and social support
systems will be discussed. The centrality of the family as both a production and consumption unit with strong ties to kin
systems and social controls will be explored in terms of the sustainability of various farming patterns.
Social and cultural practices have experienced dynamic change as modernization, environmental and economic stress
and population pressures have influenced how individuals and family units relate to one another and to their
environment. Increasingly family units have been forced to engage in multiple income-generating strategies in order to
survive. The family unit or individual members have often sought employment at locations distant from the home base.
The resulting burdens on female heads of households, reduced labor available to the farm unit and changed structures of
relations within the community all have implications for the stability and longer term viability of farming systems.
These and other factors will be explored to sensitize farming system researchers and practitioners to the need to be more
aware of the "human resource" needs and bottlenecks in farming systems.
Research Policy Analysis: System Dynamics and Sustainability
Doyle Curtis Baker*
In this paper, a systems analytical framework is presented for taking farming systems dynamics and sustainability into
account when establishing research policy. System dynamics are classified as quasi-equilibrium, directed, destablized,
or degrading. The dominant pattern of dynamics in an area requires differing degrees of research emphasis on
controllable inputs, system structure and environment (technical and institutional).
The main output of the analysis is identification of linkages between expected technology demand and village-level
resource management patterns. This information can be used for assessing research success and expected outcomes-
critical issues in research policy design.
The analytical framework is illustrated using data from a resource management survey in the southern forest zone in
Cameroon. The example provides insight into farmers' managerial responses to external and internal developmental
pressures.
Poster presentation abstracts 41
Analyzing Farming System Organization Using Productive-Protective
Framework: A Case of Nepal
Jit P. Bhuktan* and Glenn L. Denning
This paper analysis farming system as agricultural sub-system organized within the farming household supra-system
(FH). The exploratory findings from 204 central Nepal small households indicate that farming is organized structurally
and processually as a system of production through balancing the mutually antagonistic environmental forces of resource
opportunity and constraint. The stronger the forces of opportunity and the weaker that of the constraint the greater the
possibility for attainment of farmnning goal, and vice versa.
Structurally, the system is organized within its eco-social boundary, as an assemblage of various crops (food, fiber, fuel,
feed, fence, grug, so on), animal and allied components over space and time having functionally linked with other
components over space and time having functionally linked with other components both from within the FH and without.
Processually, it is organized as promotively interdependent tripartite of "works, resources and technologies", through
dynamically interacting, reacting and transacting with the environmental influences. The two aspects of system
organizing are interrelated with respect to, a combination of productive and protective goals. The productive organizing
is characterized by dominance of opportunity maximizing and the protective one by constraint minimizing strategies.
One the whole, the Nepalese farming systems are organized more protectively than productively mainly to achieve
sustainable production. The dominance of protective strategies, however, are not only constraining to technological
advancement, but also ecologically less ennobling in broader context. The traditional assumption that constraint
minimizing leads to resource maximizing results into minimization of resource opportunity itself through adverse effects
on extra system environment. Yet, farmers' protective perspectives are worth incorporating in the process of system
improvement.
Towards a Framework for a Farming Systems Research Approach in Rural Utah
D. L. Layne Coppock*, J. R. Moris, G. K. Perrier, and G. A. Rasmussen
Implementation of a multiple-use objectives on public-land in the western U.S. is based on accommodating demands for
competitive demands for commodity production, rural development, recreation, and natural resource conservation.
Reconciling such demands has recently become more intense because competition for resources has increased and
special-interest groups become more active in the decision-making process. At a high level of resolution, range livestock
production offers one case-in-point: Perceived effects of grazing on the environment are leading to decisions to markedly
reduce access of livestock to public lands, which will probably lead to significant changes in land use throughout the
state. At a more general level of resolution, there is a lack of clarity as to how land use policy is formulated and
coordinated, as well as how best to accommodate competitive demands from used groups having different cultural
values. This presentation outlines preliminary elements of a holistic approach that could be used as a framework within
which to analyze key issues in Utah land use, and thus improve understanding of how conflicts and resultant policy or
management decisions influence system dynamics. The preliminary objectives are to: (1) Derive a conceptual model
based on land use dynamics, which focuses on heterogeneity within and among user groups as a basis for describing
system complexity; (2) Document the self-interest agenda and resource demands of carious user groups, as well as the
degrees to which these groups affect policy-making and policy-enforcement processes; and (3) Use the conceptual model
to help identify key aspects of resource conflict and provide a basis to test predictions concerning impacts of conflicts,
policy, and technical innovations.
Use of an Agroecosystem Perspective to Expand Strategies for Improving
Watershed Sustainability
Charles Milton Coughenour* and Vellorimo Suminguit
The Kentucky Division of Water has established that the degradation of water quality in the Taylorsville Lake-Upper
Salt River watershed is harming "conventional" use of the water resources. This finding has led to the development of a
cooperative project of the Kentucky Division of Water, U.S. Soil Conservation Service, U.S. Agricultural Conservation
Poster presentation abstracts 42
and Stabilization Service, the Cooperative Extension Service and several other agencies to reduce pollution of the
watershed. Specific objectives are to reduce sediment, organic material and nutrient residue, and pesticide residues, and
to inform landowners and the public of problems associated with nonpoint pollution. The actions envisioned include
installation of animal waste systems on farms and the adoption of Best Management Practices to reduce organic
materials and pesticides.
Incorporation of an agroecosystem perspective provided a more comprehensive approach to diagnosing the systemic
problems of dairy, beef, and tobacco farmers in the watershed. A sondeo facilitated identification of the principal
farming systems and the directions of change as well as the major constraints to improving sustainability at the farm
level. This led to revision of extension program priorities, sharpening of target groups, increased participation of farmers
in program development, greater awareness of system relationships, and more rapid and effective use of best
management practices.
Production Systems and Farming Systems in the Mekong Delta
Son Kim Dang*
The report consisting of 12 pages with 2 tables and 5 figures has described and generally analyzed for 5 main production
systems agroecosystems in the Mekong delta showing the economic parameters, cropping calendar, etc, of 25 dominant
cropping patterns.
Both levels of those systems lay above and below of farming system, but they have been combined together as a perfect
whole.
Based on that panorama, the report presents a hypothesis that, there are two ways for agricultural development in the
Mekong Delta:
-First namely as "The Horizonal Development" is the tendency to change from one to other production system, which
has been required a great of capital contraction works.
-Second is "The Vertical Development" as the direction to convert from one to another cropping system on the same
production system.
Practically how to get the optimum applying of both development ways and pay more attention to second way is the
approach to obtain a sustainable agriculture by mobilizing accelerative farmer's contribution and natural resource.
FSR/E Activites In Orissa (India)
S.NDas*
Realizing complexities of rice-based farming systems in different agro-ecological situations in Orissa and inadequacies
of prevalent research-development support, FSR/E approach was introduced in six regional centers by institutionalizing
the process through decentralization and unification of University's own research/extension effort, coordinating and
strengthening government as well as non-government field service Agencies in providing intensive training in on-farm
research and FSR methodology including use of video technology and in establishing a Farming Systems Research Study
Centre which show encouraging results. Selection of drought tolerating/escaping early maturing rice varieties, more
income generating cropping systems and mixed enterprises (mushroom, palmarosa, prawn, rabbit, quail, poultry, fishery,
horticulture, agro-forestry), management training for farming women, farmer to farmer diffusion of skill through on-site
video presentation, and documentation of indigenous knowledge were important achievement of our program in Orissa.
Evaluation of FSR Since 1974: Toward Holistic Approach
Subash Kanti Dasgupta*
Bangladesh is one of the pioneers of FSR and has now completed 18 years of farming systems research and
development It has made significant strides during this period. This paper deals with past experience, present status and
Poster presentation abstracts 43
future course of direction in FSR of Bangladesh and divided into six parts. Part one deals with the shifting emphases in
FSR since 1974 and entire period is grouped into four stages, namely: Rice-based CSR (1974-1980); CSR (1980-1985);
FSR (1985-1990) and FS through holistic research approach (1990-). The various activities and initiatives taken in each
of the four overlapping stages were explored in this part. Achievement of FSR in terms of technology generation and
cadre development are discussed in part two. So far more than 130 mature technologies have been selected at national
level and are ready for dissemination with the potential to increase the yield for 11 to 199 percent and net income from
Structurally the system is organized within its eco-social boundary as an assemblage of various crops (food, fiber, feed,
fence, grug, so on), animal and allied components over space and time having functionally linked with other components
both from within the FH and without. Processually, it is organized as promotively interdependent tripartite of "works,
resources and technologies", through dynamically interacting, reacting and transacting with the environmental
influences. The two aspects of system organizing are interrelated with respect to a combination of productive and
protective goals. The productive organizing is characterized by dominance of opportunity maximizing and the protective
one by constraint minimizing strategies. On the whole, the Nepalese farming systems are organized more protectively
than productively mainly to achieve sustainable production. The dominance of protective strategies, however, are not
only constraining to technological advancement, but also ecologically less ennobling in broader context. The traditional
assumption that constraint minimizing leads to resource maximizing seems to have overlooked the ecological fact that
intra-system constraint minimizing results into minimization of resource opportunity itself through adverse effects on
extra system environment Yet, farmers' protective perspectives are worth incorporating in the process of system
improvement.
Agroforestry: A Sustainable Cropping Mix for Homegardens in
Southern Sri Lanka
K.H. Dharmasena*
The traditional upland farming under shifting cultivation faced the basic problem of maintaining the total food
requirement Subsequently, the continuous cultivation with excessive tillage caused a rapid decline in solid organic
matter, soil fertility, nutrients, and water holding capacity of the soil. Therefore, it is felt the importance of
environmentally sound, ecologically stable and sustainable farming system.
Agroforestry is an alternative to the traditional farming systems. It supplies not only food, fuel wood and timber but also
helps in recycling of nutrients through incorporation of biomass to the soil. Moreover, it is a low cost input supply
system instead of the expensive chemical fertilizer. The sustainability of agroforestry system depends mainly on
ecological, cropping, and management sub-systems.
This paper discusses the economic value of the homegarden agroforestry and its contribution to food and energy intake
of the people in Southern, Sri Lanka. It has been revealed that despite of the positive correlations of calorie and protein
contributions from homegarden products with the size of the homegardens there exists a negative correlation between
cropping intensity and size of the homegardens. Further, it attempts to discuss the major determinants for the
sustainability of agroforestry system in the homegardens.
A Bioeconomic Systems Approach to Analyzing Sustainability Issues at
the Farm Level
Terry C. Kelly* and Peter Hildebrand
This research addresses the problem of operationalizing sustainability through a systems approach to identifying and
incorporating sustainability concerns into evaluation criteria for agricultural technology and for farming systems. An
integrated, whole farm simulation-programming model is developed to investigate sustainability issues and hypotheses at
the farm level. This model incorporates biophysical process models, particularly the crop growth simulation models
adapted for use in the DSSAT under the IBSNAT Project into a multi-period, recursive farm decision model. This
integrated systems approach allows investigation, over the long-run, of effects of management practices on crop yields
and income, soil degradation, and chemical leaching, and of the short-and long-term trade-offs facing farmers. The
model includes risk analysis, and is constrained by economic as well as social and cultural sustainability factors. As the
biophysical models are improved to include additional factors, the potential exists for this approach to consider
Poster presentation abstracts 44
additional sustainability concerns such as soil erosion, chemical runoff, and yield losses due to pests in the absence of
chemical control. This model is still being developed and, thus, this paper reports on work in progress. The model is
applied to a representative North Florida farming system for expositional purposes.
The Misunderstood Role of Livestock in the Hill Farming Systems of Nepal
Bhoj Bahadur Kshatri*
This paper highlights the latent capacity of livestock wealth in the household economy of small holders, it includes
livestock and their conditions, major factors limiting their production, availability of feed resources, government role of
developing livestock, farmers ways of meeting of feed and fodder needs, research and development of feeding systems,
use of animals in the hills of Nepal, interaction of plant and animals, future scope of traditional systems of keeping
livestock in the hills.
Mixed farming system of Nepal has highest concentration of livestock per unit area in the world. Median herd size is 8
for chicks, 5 for goats, 4 for cattle, sheep and pigeons. For buffalo, pigs, rabbit and ducks median herd size is 2. Over
95% of the farmers are keeping most of the livestock, and each species are kept for more than one purpose. Sheep in the
western hills of Nepal are being used as pack animals and in the eastern hills pigs are used to make compost/manure.
Traditionally pigs are kept in a narrow enclosure or a pit, which in some cases used as a latrine and human excreta serve
as a feed for pig. About 45% of the 18 million population of Nepal are below subsistence level farmer, whose per capital
GDP is only US $45.00, they need to keep some animals, but have very little feed resource. Therefore, the condition of
livestock in the hills is severely malnourished and its effect on production is far more deleterious than most diseases.
Looking at the co-existence of human, plant and animals and severely degrading natural ecosystem and the way
production of one depends on the production of the others, an integrated approach to farm production problem is much
needed. Close interaction that exist between plant and animals gradually proving that, if there are no animals in the hills
of Nepal there will be no crop. Because over last 20 years, crop declining due to lack of manure, and numbers of
animals on-farm are declining due to short supply of fodder. However, because of topographical constraints and lack of
motorable road high cost will have to be born during transportation of the on-farm products, eventually
commercialization have little scope at present. Therefore, it is likely that, traditional system of farming with its all
shortcomings will act as farmers prime economic activity in future decades to come. Therefore, livestock plays a vital
role not only in household economy by also contributes to 15% GAP in national economy. Besides, most of the women
and capable children are engaged in it Population pressure and overexploitation of natural resource causing havoc to the
rural economy. The author's 15 years experience in livestock development in the hill farming system of Nepal and direct
involvement in On-farm research are discussed.
Underestimated Role of Livestock and Neglected System of Animal
Production "A Case of Transhumant System of Sheep Production in
the Hill Farming of Nepal
Bhoj Bahadur Kshatri*
The paper reviews the potential of sheep wealth raised under transhumant system of production, availability of grazing
resources, effect of research and development system on the nomadic sheep, interaction of forestry, rangelands and crop
field, role of sheep products i.e. wool, meat, milk and fertilizer to small farmers and landless agricultural laborers in
developing livestock production system to maximize family income are presented. The major constraint facing transfer
of technology and future strategies for improvement of condition of the sheep in the nomadic system are also included.
Sheep in the hills of Nepal is major subsistence providers, contribution food and clothes and generating employment
particularly for rural women. About 86% of the 0.9 million sheep are concentrated in the hills and mountains of Nepal,
where there is the highest concentration of livestock per unit in the world. Most of the sheep population in the high hills
are kept under nomadic system of production. They are nearly half fed due to lack of fodder and grazing resources.
Productivity of forest and rangelands is between 0.31 and 0.54 livestock unit per hectare, whereas, stocking rate is 9 to
13 times higher than carrying capacity. To get more yield, either have to cut down the number of other unproductive
animals or have at least to double the fodder production.
Poster presentation abstracts 45
The wool transaction in the major trade of Nepal, importing about 8000mt. of raw wool each year, which is about 10
times more then what is produced in the country. Though, there are many possibilities of producing the required amount
of wool within the country, no attention has been paid on the maintenance of the production resources.
The author's 10 year study on the trends of sheep in the transhumant system of production indicated that, number of
potential shepherds declined by 55% and the population of transhumant sheep decline by 38%. This declined is solely
due to lack of adequate pasture throughout the route of migration in the hills of Nepal. Consequently there is less wool
and less lamb are being produced rendering many women jobless, who previously were engaged in wool knitting and
weaving.
Decision Making Patterns in Tribal Farming Systems
Valeria Lakra* and RP. Singh
This study presents data from Four randomly selected tribal villages in Kenke block of Ranchi district, Bihar (India).
The objective of the study was to identify the key components of the tribal farming systems and to study the role of tribal
women and men in decision making in various farm home activities.
Decision making pattern was studied through a pre-tested schedule developed for this study by combining the schedules
developed by PUN (1972) and Acharya and Benett (1983) with necessary modifications. The findings indicated than
men dominated women in making independent decisions in agricultural, labor, allocation and livestock related decisions.
However, women took independent decisions in sizable proportion in labor allocation and livestock related decisions.
But their say in agricultural decisions was very low. Under home management decisions women took slightly larger
percentage of decisions than men but in case of child related decisions the situation was found to be just in reverse order
under many related decisions men had a lead over women and under socio religious decisions women had a lead over
men. The aggregate data on all farm and homemaking decisions revealed that men dominated women in all the areas of
decision makers. As a result of this, men and women both were found to be involved equally influencing the over all
family decision making process. The conclusion suggests for reaching implications for integrating tribal farm women's
concerns into the farming systems development process.
Incorporating Animal Traction in a Sahelian Farming System:
The Case of Gidan Roumdji
J. Lowenberg-DeBoer* and Tahirou Abdoulaye
In the arrondissement of Gidan Roumdji in south-central Niger 60% of farms in study villages used workbulls or
donkeys in 1990. The primary use is weeding. The objective of this communication is to describe how farmers in this
low rainfall area (average annual rainfall 400mm) are incorporating animal power into their farming system.
The cropping subsystem is based on millet intercropped with cowpeas or groundnuts. Sorghum or maize are grown on
the small areas of heavier soils. Animal traction is used on all crops. On farms with equipment, 90% of the area is
cultivated using animals.
The key components of the system are: 1) availability of land which can be brought into production to use time saved
with animal power, 2) local blacksmiths who make low priced equipment, and 3) good quality grazing in the nearby
pastoral zone. Sustainability of the system in the current form is constrained by limited availability of new land.
A key determinant of traction type is capital availability. A useful index of capital availability is the number and type of
livestock. The poorest farmers own no livestock or only small ruminants. Wealthier farmers own cattle. Bovine traction
including a cart requires about 180,000 FCFA ($US 667) and is used by farmers who raise other cattle. It is a way to
increase the productivity of the cattle raising subsystem. Donkey traction is used by farmers of intermediate resource
levels who raise small ruminants, but no cattle. Without a cart, their initial investment is about 25,000 FCFA ($US 93).
For the poorest farmers nonagricultural investments are more profitable than animal traction.
Systems dynamics tend toward increasing use of donkey traction. Many farmers who sold bovine traction equipment
Poster presentation abstracts 46
during the 1984 drought, repurchased donkey equipment in the late 1980s. An important interaction occurs between the
animal traction component of the system and the local blacksmiths, who fabricate and repair the tools. They modified
peanut lifters to provide an animal powered version of the traditional tool for sandy soils, the hilaire.
Incorporation of Legume Species into the Maize Existing Cropping System of
the Mid-Altitude Zone of Cameroon
Francois Meppe*
Although the planted fallow has been shown to be effective in maintaining soil fertility, farmer's adoption of this
practice seems to be poor. This is mainly due to additional labor requirement for establishing the fallow species and
incorporating the cut biomass into the soil during the fallow period. This trial was initiated to identify suitable methods
to incorporate the planted fallow into the maize-based existing cropping system using minimum labor and other inputs.
Three legume species (T. Vogelii, C. Juncea, S. Sesban) were planted in 1989 to two locations either as sole or
intercropped with maize and then incorporated at the end of the season to test their residual effects on maize yield
during the two following years. Regardless of the method and time legumes were planted, their residual effects on
maize yields in 1990 were generally more positive at two locations than in 1991 where they were much lower,
indicating that the improved fallows can sustain the productivity only for one year. When adding up maize yields for 3
years, it was more advantageous and economical to intercrop the legumes with the crop at least 5-6 weeks after planting
than to grow maize continuously or fallow the land for one year.
Diversity and Sustainability: Complex Farming Systems in Semi-Arid Morocco
Keith M. Moore*
Sustainability in the context of Moroccan semi-arid agriculture requires that farm households diversify productive and
income-generation options which balance immediate returns with long-term viability. This paper illustrates various
forms of this diversity through examination of systematic interdependencies between components of the crop, livestock,
commodity, and labor market system at the level of whole farm systems. Data from a survey of farm households in
three agro-ecological zones of semi-arid Morocco provides the basis for this analysis. Despite many similarities across
the whole farm systems identified in the survey, important differences emerge. These differences emphasize the need to
distinguish broad trends from the specific roles they play in sustaining any particular farming system. Agro-ecological
zones, defined by rainfall regimes and soil characteristics, differentiate those areas where sheep production tends to
predominate from those where mechanized tillage and chemical fertilizers have been most frequently adopted. Sheep
production is pivotal in these regions, however, its role varies from the center piece of some farm systems to a cash-
generating side-line. Consequently, it is interrelated with the combination of crops grown and the intensity of their
production. The goal of crop production varies between household consumption, market sales, and livestock feed.
These variations are reflected in both the allocation and intensity of family labor in crop production, as well as the
utilization of purchased inputs. Off-farm income, earned by men, may serve consumption needs or be invested in either
farm or non-farm activities. In either cases a distinguishing factor is often whether these farm systems rely on salaried
labor or on women and children family members for the tending of livestock. Resource levels aid in the distinction
between farm systems, however, systematically integrated resource combinations are varied, particularly at lower levels.
As resource levels increase, rather than leading to specialization, farm systems tend to increase the diversity of
productive activities.
Rubber and Oil-Palm-Based Farming System for the Southern Sumatra
Transmigration Areas
M. Muharmninto* and Wayan Susila
Inappropriate farming system has been considered as one of the most important problems in most transmigration areas,
especially in Southern Sumatra. Therefore, the focus of this study is the development of farming systems for these
areas. An integrated consumption-production framework was used as a theoretical framework and a multi period linear
programming model with a 25 year time horizon was used to analyze the farming systems. The objective function was
the maximization of the discounted stream of cash surplus; the activities included were annual and perennial crops,
Poster presentation abstracts 47
credit,credit repayment, and saving. Constraints specified in the models were climate, land, food security, and the
minimum standard of living, credit, and credit repayment. In addition, risk was indirectly considered using sensitivity
analyses and a Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis.
The results of the study reveal that with a certain amount of credit from the government transmigrants can develop their
own land, repay all their credit, and attain an increase in the minimum standard of living. This can be achieved through
the development of either rubber based farming system or oil palm based farming system. Moreover, the former is more
profitable than the latter but also more risky with respect to price fluctuation.
Implications of Market Organization and Market Demandfor Farming Systems
Adaptation and Sustainability: the Case of Smallholder Dairying in
Coastal Kenya
Gary R. Mullins*
Farming systems in coastal Kenya are in a state of transition as farm households, faced with deteriorating market
conditions for traditional cash crops, search for alternative means of obtaining essential cash income. Coupled with
shrinking off-farm employment opportunities, many traditional farming systems are being modified to include an
income-generating dairy enterprise. Working together, ILCA and Kenyan scientists have made significant strides in
ameliorating biological and technical constraints to smallholder dairying, however, researchers also acknowledge the
dependence which new mixed crop/livestock farming systems will have on the diary market. Consumer demands and
marketing systems will influence the nature of these farming systems, and thereby the farm household. The need for a
broader understanding of the implications of its research led the KARI/ILCA team to undertake of a series of surveys
aimed at linking its farming systems research to the consumption sector. One hundred and two smallholder dairy
producers were interviewed regarding their structure of production and marketing habits; concurrently, 630 rural, peri-
urban and urban households, and 400 institutions were interviewed regarding their dairy consumption. Among other
significant results, the surveys revealed that 92% of the combined urban and peri-urban households were consuming
reconstituted pasteurized milk. Only 9% reported consuming farm fresh milk. This was in spite of the fact that 3 out of
4 of the same households indicated a preference for farm fresh milk over reconstituted. Conversely, 70% of the rural
households interviewed consumed farm fresh milk, and only 19% reconstituted pasteurized milk. Urban households also
indicated substantial consumption of processed dairy products: 46% consumed Mala (sour milk), and 30% used butter or
ghee. On farm, however, production is almost exclusively fresh milk with little or no processing raking place apart from
mala for home consumption. Study results highlight the substantial market potential for locally produced dairy products,
but suggest that lack of market infrastructure is an immediate constraint to development of smallholder dairy farming.
Government restrictions on the movement and sale of milk between rural and urban areas underscores also the
importance of policies conducive to farming systems modifications which aim at enhancing household welfare.
Factors Limiting Smallholder Dairy Development in Coastal
Kenya: Results of Farming Systems Descriptive Surveys
Gary Mullins* and William Thorpe
Population and economic pressures on smallholder farms in coastal Kenya are changing traditional farming systems
based on tree cash and subsistence food crops. In peri-urban areas, which have a large, unsatisfied demand for milk,
dairy production has the potential to increase and stabilize smallholder income, create employment and catalyze
agricultural development. Surveys assessed the smallholder resource base and identified major technical, social and
economic factors constraining smallholder dairy development. A recall resource and farming systems survey of some
1900 smallholder households was followed by a cross-sectional cattle disease prevalence survey, a census of cattle herds,
and a farm enterprise budget survey. The surveys were stratified by agro-ecological zone, the coconut-cassava and
cashewnut-cassava zones, and other appropriate factors. The major natural resource constraints were a general
deficiency of soil nutrients and unreliable and erratic rainfall distribution, problems which are becoming increasingly
critical with greater population pressure. Current farming systems are based on labor intensive, low-input, risk aversive
practices yielding low output, and a dependence on off-farm income and cash from tree crops, a declining natural
resource. Crop-livestock interactions are not exploited. Crop intensification and its integration with livestock are limited
Poster presentation abstracts 48
primarily by lack of capitals then by labours and for adoption of dairy cattle productions by disease risk. Required are
access to credit and the development of capital and labor efficient systems for increased productivity of crops and
livestock. Improvement in soil fertility and disease control will be key technical elements for the sustainable adoption of
dairy production, especially for the poorest households, those currently without livestock.
Options Generation and Management for the Development of Sustainable
Farming Systems
Ludwig CA. Naegel* and Dennis P. Garrity
To ensure sustainable and profitable agricultural production, income and profit, environmental, socio-economic, cultural
and political factors have to be considered. For the adoption of new technologies economic considerations are the main
driving force. In democratic societies sustainable agricultural production methods which are economically viable,
ecologically sound, socially just, and humane cannot be legislated upon farmers. They have to be convinced of the long-
term benefits and profits of different farming systems management options.
The farmer needs site-specific holistic information packages of different options, as contrasted with packages of
technology only, in order to combine traditional knowledge with modern scientific results, to increase farm productivity
and profit without endangering the environment, to manage and to use finite resources most efficiently, to regenerate
exploited agricultural land, to reduce production and harvest losses, and to lessen the drudgery of many farm activities.
All-embracing data packages have to be generated about the short-and-long-term impacts of the diverse agricultural
methods and possible production intensities. The influence of the different possibilities with respect to income and
profit, to the environment, and to the family and the society need to be quantified. Such information would serve as a
guideline for the farmer to select management options which are best suited for his farming system, and would allow him
to choose alternatives in case of unforeseen events.
The application of options management will contribute towards a more sustainable agriculture. To reach this goal
increased support of the farm community through technical education and extension is needed. However, none of these
initiatives is more important than bringing population growth to a halt.
Research Combined With Farmers' Choice Guide the Design of an Alley
Cropping Experiment
Stefan Seiter* and Ray D. William
The technique of alley cropping is now established as a sustainable alternative in agricultural production. Oregon
farmers, however, fail to identify it as a viable option. Systems inquiry, which blends farmers' attitudes and biological
research guides our research process involving management of hedgerows in Oregon vegetable rotations.
In Corvallis, Oregon an alley cropping experiment was established in which sweet corn is intercropped with four
nitrogen-fixing perennials (Alnus rubra. Alnus sinuta. Alnus glutinosa, Robina pseudoacacia.) Under investigation are
different tree planting arrangements and their effect on crop as well as soil fertility. When comparing mixtures of two or
more plant species the classic research models involve addition or substitution series. These models have drawn
substantial criticism since one or more of the basic variables of competition such as density, proportion and spatial
arrangement are favored and others are assumed to be uniform. In order to comply with the model, multiple treatments
with incremental increases in the variable are required. Because of the complexity of an alley cropping experiment,
many years and resources are needed to study only one of the basic variables. Traditionally, woody perennials are
planted in rows and the annual crop is grown in the interspace. This arrangement and the biology of the plants involved
already limit the applicable options. Interest of farmers and their valuable ideas for the development of a new practice is
more likely if biologically practical and at the same time manageable treatments are involved in the research design.
In this experiment the trees are planted either in double rows, alternating with several corn rows or single rows
alternating with one corn row. The annual crop plant population is held constant at the commonly used sole crop plant
Poster presentation abstracts 49
density, except in one treatment. The approach of using a series of possible and practical plant arrangements can enable
us to draw important conclusions, to identify trends and make further predictions in a short time period. Values and
concerns of farmers regarding sustainability of their cultural practices were explored in informal interviews and will be
reported. The proposed treatments address the farmers' concern of economic feasibility of sustainable practices.
Cropping Systems Research and its Impact On Farm Families in Two Selected
Sites of Bangladesh
Md Mainur Rahman Siddiqui*
In this study an attempt was made to determine the extent of adoption of the rainfed lowland favorable rice cropping
systems technologies and its impact on resource use, productivity and income-expenditure patterns of the selected
farmers in two sites in Bangladesh. The sites are Kamalganj in the northeast, which is rice surplus and characterized by
remoteness and Sitakund in the southeast which is rice deficit but has ready access to major markets and off-farm
employment Ninety farm families were randomly selected from 5-6 villages in each site. Season-wise crop production
and weekly income expenditure data were collected. Critical crop production factors like planting time, varietal
sequence, intensity of cropping and amount of fertilizer use were used in determining adoption. Aggregated scores of all
these factors were divided into three class intervals and the households were partitioned into low, medium, and high
adopters. Results showed that the households have adopted the technology and productivity of land and other resources
varied positively according to the extent of adoption. Socio-economically poorer farmers (on the basis of farm size)
have been higher adopters and have invested in the extra inputs required for the improved practices. Extent of resource
use in the production process was almost the same at both the sites. But the yield was lower at Sitakund compared to
Kamalganj due to variation of natural factors. Adoption of cropping systems technologies have generated more
employment The study suggested that infrastructural development at the grassroots level and diversity of income source
are essential to providing enough income to maintain and improve the standard of living of the farming community in the
study areas.
Rice-Fish Culture A Sustainable Farming System in Risk-Prone
Floating Rice Areas
Om Prakash Singh,* Ram Singh, and Pal Singh
Eastern Indian States Assam, Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal have 2.5 million hectare lands with
more than one meter water stagnation from July to November. In such areas photosensitive floating rices of 200-210
days duration are grown with the yield less than one ton per hectare. Unpredicted floods with heavy rains often raise
water level abruptly causing complete submergence and crop failure. As rice-fish culture have been an old-aged
practice, therefore, it is desirable to advocate fish along with floating rice. Thus, to minimize risk and obtain sustained-
production, an experiment on rice-fish culture have been conducted in three villages under controlled and uncontrolled
water conditions during 1989 to 1992. Mixed culture to major Indian carps, Catla catla. Labeo rohita, and Cirrhinus
mrigala fingerlings 5000/ha in 1:1:1 were raised with supplemental feed from second week of July to February in control
and fish production were 1.82 t/ha and 0.35 t/ha respectively. In uncontrolled condition besides above fishes Clarius
batrachus. Heteropneustis fossilis, Wallago attu. Mvsus spp., Channa spp. and Puntius spp. were harvested from pond
refuge with 78 gm per fish average weight. The rice and fish yields were 1.68 t/ha and 0.07 t/ha respectively. Pest
intensity were less in rice-fish fields than rice alone. Enhanced net income of 40% and 14% was obtained from rice-fish
in controlled and uncontrolled conditions respectively over rice alone.
Poster presentation abstracts 50
Diagnosis and Farmer Participation
Facilitator: Harold McArthur
Farming Systems Research Activities on Livestock Component at Bau Sites
Shafiuddin Ahmed*
The Bangladesh Agricultural University has been conducting farming systems research which focuses on livestock and
poultry production in two different agro-ecological villages since, 1985. One FSR site is at Kazirshimla (Mymensingh)
representative of medium high land and another at Noagaon (Kishoreganj) representative of low lying areas ("haor").
Livestock systems can ben seen from two agro-ecologically different situations. There are 28 and 16 farming systems
(FS) at Kazirshimla and Noagaon respectively of which 57% FS have poultry as a production component It has been
observed that landless and small farmers earned considerable extent by raising young bulls for beef purpose and goat for
meat and milk in both the sites. Exotic breeds of chicken and ducks also performed well under scavenging-cum-
supplementary feeding condition in both FSR sites. Regular vaccination program also controlled epidemic diseases of
poultry and other livestock compared to non-vaccinated area.
Impact Assessment of a Community Groups Based Small Holder Intensive
Agriculture Development Programme in the KISII Area of Kenya
Geoffrey Noah Angwenyi*
An impact assessment study was carried out on an international non-governmental donor supported community groups
targeted intensive agriculture development program after a three year implementation period covering 1989 to 1991.
The study methodology involved key informant interviewing and field production data collection from samples of the
target beneficiary. Community groups engaged in either intensive dairy farming, vegetable farming, poultry,
agroforestry or fish farming. The data were analyzed for adoption rate of the enterprises, production levels attained,
profitability of the enterprises and their possible contribution to environmental sustainability. Results indicated that
adoption rates were very high for improved dairy and vegetable farming enterprises in relation to the other enterprises by
the beneficiaries were invested in other development activities including construction of better houses and non-farm
commercial activities thus, enhancing the cash income and gainful employment for the people. The technologies
contributed significantly to improved soil and water conservation particularly the cattle manure used for organic farming.
It is concluded that by building on the community groups created by the church primarily spiritual and welfare purposes,
the program has practically enabled individuals within these groups to move to higher levels of sustainable development.
Community Fish Farming as a Major Component for Small Farmers Towards
Sustainability
C.S. Das*
In most rice-growing regions, fish is common source of protein for nutrition and often an important income generating
enterprise. In reverine lowland coastal west Bengal rice farmers are also potential fish farmers. Most farm families have
small ponds for domestic use of water, supplemental irrigation for vegetable in the adjoining plots and also for fish
culture in traditional way. The resource-poor subsistence farmers depend on rice monocropping in rainfed, lowland and
constrained ecosystem.
Responding to the needs for viability and sustainability of small holdings, on-farm case studies initiated by a number of
farmers in association with FSR scientists of Ramakrishna Mission (RKM), Narendrapur, indicated increased fish
harvest of 3-5 tons per ha compared to 300-500 kg per ha obtained from the average ponds in traditional method. A few
progressive farmers experience highly profitable fish nursery management. Rice-cum-fish and prawn culture in lowland
also proved very promising. But improved fish farming did not show expected lateral dissemination. Critical study
diagnosed the main constraints as multiple ownership of ponds, poaching, pollution of pond water through indiscriminate
use of agricultural chemicals, non-availability of fish spawns in time, problems of marketing and non-availability of
Poster presentation abstracts 51
credit. This paper analyses the experiences with groups of resource-poor farmers in improved fish farming and the
problems faced by them. Based on the feedback, the FSR scientists are working on involving the farmers through
integrated and community approach for extension of improved fish farming as a major component in lowland rice-based
farming systems.
Application of Participatory Rural Appraisal Techniques in Assessing
Agroforestry Practices Among Hill Migrants and Aboriginal Tharus in
Chitwan, Nepal
Kishor P. Gajurel*
Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) techniques such as seasonal diagramming, trend analysis, ethno-history and matrix
ranking were applied and information was collected from three groups of key informants in each community. Semi
structured interviews, beans, seeds, stones, sticks and other locally available materials were used while using the above
mentioned techniques. The findings indicated that land use patterns, tree species grown, common forest situation,
livestock type and numbers, and favored tree species were different between two communities. Some agroforestry
practices such as planting and harvesting of trees are carried out in wet and dry seasons respectively in both
communities. The involvement of female in some agroforestry practices such as fodder collection, fuelwood gathering,
grass cutting and decision making in planting site selection was greater than male counterparts in both communities.
Based on the findings of PRA exercise, several suggestions and recommendations have been drawn for planning and
implementing agroforestry programs in the studies communities.
Site Selection Methodology for Sustainable FSR Strategy in the Hill Environment
Tek Bahadur Gurung*
Nepal is marked by diversity and complexity. The broad category of ecological zones are the mountain, the hill, and the
terai. Of the three zones, the hill is the largest and supports the highest percentage of population. In another way the
country has been divided into five administrative regions. Lumle Regional Agricultural Research Centre (LRARC),
established in 1975, is located in the Western Development Region (WDR). Since 1988, the centre has been
progressively integrated into National Agricultural Research Network and is given a regional mandate of providing
research services for the region.
The eleven hill Districts of the WDR form the Research Command Area (RCA) of the Centre. In the RCA agriculture is
practiced in an altitude range of below 300 m asl up to 5000 m asl, annual rainfall varies from below 1500 mm to above
5000 mm per year, and there are several other factors which also have major effects upon agriculture practiced. The
major problems identified in the regional are degrading soil fertility, scarcity of fodder, and lack of opportunity for cash
generation. To address these problems the centre has been adopting a holistic approach of Farming System Research
(FSR) by developing an extensive off-centre research programme, in which research into sustainable agricultural
technologies is an important component. The Centre has been opening FSR Sites at various locations in the RCA.
Although operation of a site is an important issue, the need to make the site efficiently operational can not overlooked.
The selection of a site can be regarded as one of the most vital issues for sustainable FSR strategy. The above described
circumstances of the RCA is further aggravated by the lack of database. Therefore, the centre has a challenge to select
FSR Site (s) representative for specific domains for which the centre has developed its own methodology based on its
experience.
The paper describes the methodology and argues the appropriateness of the technique with the help of case studies. At
every stage of selection procedure, the involvement of the farmers and technical personnel are deemed essential, which
facilitates proper diagnosis of the problems and prioritization of research. This has been useful to determine the
direction of research.
As a concluding remark the paper also presents the analysis of the pros and cons of the methodlogy and draws some
valuable recommendations for further replication in the areas with similar conditions.
Poster presentation abstracts 52
Identification of Problems Through RRA in Hilltracts Region of Bangladesh
Md. Mafizul Islam*
Hardly any FSR & D efforts were concentrated for the well being of the rural farming communities of the hill tract
region of Bangladesh which represent 12.6% of the total land area with an elevation of 800 feet along the south eastern
boarder. Aside from the predominating "Jhum" or shifting cultivation in the hilly areas, hill farming also covers all land-
based activities such as crop farming, horticulture, forestry and animal husbandry practiced by 12 ethnic groups each
having mixed or distinctly separate nature of farming. Rearing goat, poultry and pig, and homestead vegetable gardening
are the dominating subsistence activities of the hilly women. With the objective of planning and strengthening FSR & D
in the hilltracts region, RRA was conducted to identify constraints, assess opportunities, needs and the potentials. The
appraisal was conducted by a multi-disciplinary inter-institutional team consisting of 23 specialists in such areas as crop
production, forestry, soil resource, livestock, fisheries, agricultural economics and extension personnel Five working
groups were formed each with a mix of several disciplines. Subsequently three study steps were followed: i) field visit
to the target area ii) reconnaissance survey, and iii) preparation of group reports and integration into a single report.
Major observations that emerged from RRA are delineated in 6 sections: i) present physical conditions ii) present
agricultural systems, iii) development potentials, iv) constraints, v) policy issues and vi) R & D needs. Identification and
piloting of mature agricultural technologies for linking to farmers group and rural agribusiness enterprises was also
explored through RRA. Prioritizing the comparative advantages and disadvantages in the area, sustainable organized
small holder production systems augmenting income and welfare for the hill farming community was emphasized,
keeping in mind significant risk factors affecting hill farming such as abnormal rain, hail storm, erosion, land slides,
drought, deforestation and depletion of forests. Temptation of merely prescribing solutions that would only slightly
improve traditional practices was avoided. It is a priority need to develop package of system-based technologies and
opportunities that would have the hill farm families "graduate" from only traditional farming practices on to organized
small holder production systems that are closely linked to market and rural agribusiness enterprise.
Client Identification for Agricultural Outreach Research in the Eastern
Hills of Nepal
Sharan Kumar KC*
The agricultural production system in hill areas of eastern Nepal are complex, diverse and predominantly subsistence-
oriented. The production of improved agricultural technologies necessitates research planning which is sensitive to
variations in both the physical and socio-economic environment.
A critical input to the process is the identification of different farmer clients and their respective problem and priorities.
The Social Research Group at Pakhribas Agricultural Center (PAC) is currently attempting to fine-tune existing
recommendations domains, defined on the basis of agro-ecological, to reflect variations in the access of resources.
A project to categorize farmers using "Wealth Ranking" techniques (WRT) has been undertaken in two districts. A
successful application of WRT was found to require modifications to reflect prevailing local physical and cultural
conditions. Follow-up interviews with groups identified on the basis of the initial rankings were undertaken. Areas of
possible concern for agricultural research were discussed in depth on a category by category basis.
Preliminary results suggest that constraints facing different farmer categories vary considerably. This will require
responsive interventions; in some cases (e.g. landless farmers), the possibilities for a direct research impact appear
limited. As a first step, the PAC Outreach Program has incorporated the findings in the selection of farmers for verifying
the appropriateness of existing research technologies.
Poster presentation abstracts 53
Experience On Learning from Innovators in Bangladesh Context
Md Mahbabur Rahman Khan*
Farmers throughout the world as well as in Bangladesh could be recognized as good informal researchers. They
minimize risk and make profits through different innovations of their own. On-farm Research Division (OFRD) of
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) initiates a programme on finding out such innovations and organizes
workshops for threadbare discussion on them. The objectives are 1) to understand the details and underlying principles
of innovations, 2) to understand the risk management mechanism and 3) to identify agenda for research, extension and
development strategy. Under the above objectives several unique practices were identified. A preliminary discussion
with the farmers was made in order to determine the merit of the practice as well as fixing priority of them. However,
only two practices were selected; one was production of early vegetable in hazardous condition and the other was
production of successful cauliflower seeds which are normally imported from abroad. A date was fixed for organizing
workshop in consultation with District Technical Committee (DRC). Five farmers from each practice were invited as
resource persons for the workshop. Local researchers and extension workers participated and thoroughly discussed and
documented the practices through informal session and practical demonstrations. This workshop creates avenues for
training of the farmers of other localities interested in growing cauliflower seeds. It also promotes opportunities for
future research agenda and alternate technological sources.
Participatory Systems Analysis of Smallholder Farming Systems: An Example
from Zimbabwe
Timothy J.P. Lynam*
Smallholder farming systems in Zimbabwe as elsewhere, are noted for their complexity: Technologies of varying
complexity are used to satisfy multiple needs, with heterogenous resources in an uncertain environment. A major
problem in applying the systems methodology to smallholder farming systems is that much of the information required
for needs analysis, system identification, problem formulation and abstract modeling is best known by the smallholder
farmers themselves who lack the quantitative skills needed to be active participants in the analysis and design of their
own farming systems.
In this paper I describe a participatory methodology that was developed to establish the ability of farming systems to
continuously satisfy needs. The methods described are used within a participatory rural appraisal study to a) identify
major system actors, household classes and their relative importance; b) define the needs the system is expected to meet
and the trade-offs participants are willing to make among these; c) identify the components and couplings a system must
have in order to meet these needs; d) define what the system must do in order to meet the needs and e) enable community
participants to simulate system behavior and in so doing to test whether the system can satisfy the defined needs. The
community level simulation modeling methods also enables households or communities to explore alternative strategies
for meeting their needs. Each of these methods is symbolically orientated and have been successfully used by farmers
with no formal education and limited quantitative skills. An example from Zimbabwe is used to illustrate the
methodology.
The Impact of Farmers Participation and Rural Infrastructure on Farmers
Adoption of Technology in the Rice-Based Inland Valleys of
Northern Nigeria
Adewale Johnson Alonge and Robert A. Martin*
Integrated Rural Development and Farming Systems Research/Extension emerged as the cornerstones of Nigerian
Agricultural Development policy in the late 1970s and early 1980. In keeping with this policy posture, one of the
agricultural development projects (ADPS) in Northern Nigeria, the Bida ADP, embarked on a collaborative Farming
Systems Research project with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in 1982 to develop appropriate
technology for the numerous rice-based inland valleys spread across the project area. Inland Valleys are flat-floored and
Poster presentation abstracts 54
relatively shallow valleys characterized by hydromorphic soils found in many African landscape. Their potential for wet
and dry season crop production has been recognized as very important for alleviating the off-season food scarcity in
many African countries (Andriesse, 1986 and Palada et al. 1987).
This study was initiated in June 1990 to evaluate the impact of the project on technology adoption by farm households
within the project area. The study was undergirded by an interdisciplinary conceptual framework which integrated
relevant elements of the Leagan's interdisciplinary adoption model of 1985 and the FAO's (1987) Farm Household
Systems Model. A triangulation data collection procedure involving ethnographic non-participant observation,
structured interviews with 413 households and focus group non-structured interview was adopted. Data collection
instruments were validated using the expert validation approach while reliability checks included protesting, test-retest
stability test for respondents and post-hoc reliability check.
From the analysis of data, the following findings and conclusions were drawn: 1. Innovation adoption by farmers was
very elective and partial. Divisible technologies such as fertilizer, improved rice varieties, seed dressing and water
control achieved appreciable adoption rates. Technologies which were perceived to be too complex and incompatible
(e.g. herbicides, higher plant population, and early planting received little adoption.) 2. The non-sustainability of
project's infrastructure for input distribution was perceived by the farmers as the greatest constraints to wide technology
adoption. Hence frustrated adoption accounted for low adoption rate for some of the technologies, most especially
fertilizer and improved rice varieties. 3. On-farm research participants achieved higher adoption than non-participants.
The Use of Rapid Rural Appraisals for the Planning of On-Farm Research and
Extension Activities
Martien Van Nieuwkoop*
A case study is presented about the application of RRAs in an agricultural development program implemented by the
PATA Project in Pakistan. RRAs are used to generate information about farming systems, the criteria for the
identification of recommendation domains, the identification of the main constraints hampering agricultural production,
and the formulation of potentials for agricultural development. It is argued that RRAs are a reliable method to generate
priorities for on-farm research and extension in a relatively short period of time. The reliability of RRAs is influenced
by a number of factors related to either the application of their findings or the way RRAs are executed. The existence of
a feed-back mechanism, the use of formal surveys with a narrow focus for extended diagnosis and the use of RRA
findings as proposals in a planning process are factors to safeguard that priorities for on-farm research and extension are
set correctly. The use of an analytical framework as part of the RRA methodology, consisting of a formal method for
ranking problems and the analysis of problems through the construction of problem-cause-effect diagrams based on
elements of Goal Oriented Project Planning (GOPP), further enhances the reliability of RRAs. Moreover, the execution
of RRAs as a regular activity gradually creates an experienced RRA team within one project. Such a team serves as a
"core" for all RRA activities and facilitates the execution of RRAs as a multi-disciplinary exercise.
Production Constraints of Maize and Bean Cropping Systems in
Arumeru District, Tanzania
E. M. Nkonya*
A diagnostic survey was conducted in 1990/91 cropping season is Arumeru District Tanzania with an aim of identifying
production constraints in maize-based cropping systems as well as describing the farming circumstances of the study
area.
A two-stage stratified random sampling technique at village and farmer level was used to obtain 65 respondents from
five villages of the maize/bean and banana/coffee zone of Arumeru district.
Statistical analysis of the survey data revealed five technical problems affecting maize and bean production viz.
competition for nutrients, light and moisture between maize and beans when, intercropped, labour bottleneck during
Poster presentation abstracts 55
planting and weeding, insect pests affecting both crops, manganese and iron toxicity and diseases for beans.
The non-technical problem affecting the study crops were non-availability or late delivery of inputs and transportation
problems. An environmental problem was stoniness of fields. It was also noted that there was strong cause-effect
relationship among the technical and non-technical problems.
Experimental programmes addressing the technical problems and policy analysis studies, on the non-technical problems
are being planned for execution in future.
Some Aspects of Alternate Technology Use A Case From India
B.S. Siddaramaiah* and K.Venkataranga Naika
Introduction of National Agricultural Research Project in India during 1979 is a major step towards evolving location
specific technology, through the involvement of multi-disciplinary research team and farmers. Nevertheless, the
participation of farmers in the process of technology generation is rather very weak. In spite of it some farmers have
demonstrated the utility of scientific technologies on their farms. In this context, the present study is an attempt to: 1)
Identify the alternative technologies practiced by an innovative farmer, 2) Analyze his resource use pattern and 3) Assess
the cost-benefit ratio of different enterprises. The data were collected by personal interview method, besides relying on
record maintained by the farmer, and secondary sources of information. The farmer operates medium size-farm situated
about 30 Km away from the cosmopolitan city of Bangalore.
The findings revealed that the farmer has evolved a unique resource use pattern and a mixed farming system on viable
basis. The use of novel alternate technologies with respect to manuring and plant protection ensures the optimum use of
local resources. These are quite interesting and deserve the attention of researchers. The case study illustrates many
relevant propositions in whole farm system with the help of cost-benefit ratios, and highlights the need for establishing
better linkages between researcher and farmer subsystems.
Critical Assessment of FSR Approaches in Risk Prone Environment
R.Thakur*
FSR has a theoretically holistic approach. Agriculture being the main source of livelihood of farming families, forms its
main component. While formulating structural methodological models, implementation aspect has possibly not been
given due consideration. Voluminous data are collected for researchers' use but rarely useful to farming families.
This issue arose when we investigated farmers problems and their livelihood systems in a cluster of four villages where
agriculture, the main source of livelihood, is highly risk prone in wet season. In dry season, however, modern
technology has excellent adoption. Maize, for example, is grown with full package while the same farmer in the same
land, when growing rice in wet season, follows his own practice because of high risk of flood. Perfection of technology
is apparently more important than any other factor.
Farmers interact with researchers and participate in the program with hope. They lose interest when researchers stress
constraints analysis, repeat queries without devising methods to solve the problems affecting their livelihood. This
necessitates focus on land, its productivity, associated problems and possible remedial measures in form of technology
than farm families at first in risk prone environment. Credibility issue at this stage is vital for success of FSR program.
Easily implementable and simple on farm trials with possible proven stability of entry(s) in risk prone environment have
prime importance. We experienced introduction of new marginal crop with potential use in household and sustainable
technology better than one in use may help achieve initial success. Then diversification of FSR approaches may have
impact on the farm households.
Poster presentation abstracts 56
Adopci6n de Variedades Mejoradas de Frijol y Maiz en Tres Grupos de
Agricultores del Departamento de Chimaltenango, Guatemala. Los Tres Grupos
se Distinguen en el Grado de Participaci6n en los Equipos de Extensi6n Agricola.
Felisa Yoc Yool* and Marco Baltensweiler
Introducci6n: Se muestra que la adopci6n de variedades mejoradas de frijol y mafz varia entire 5 y 78 por ciento (Yoc
Yool, 1991). Esto depend del metodo para calcular la adopci6n (determinar el rango de adopci6n a nivel de la poblaci6n
total o solamente al nivel de los participants en el proyecto; con o sin repetici6n de la muestra). La diferencia muy alto
entire el maximo y el minimo de adopci6n no permit concluir, si la forma de transferir nuevas variedades mejoradas bajo
la producci6n artesanal de semilla tiene 6xito o no. La producci6n artesanl de semilla se ve en el marco de sistemas
informales o no convencionales de production de semilla, dentro ellos se distinguen models de pequefias empresas de
semillas (PES) y productores individuals de semillas (PIS) (Baltensweiler, 1992). Este studio se refiere al modelo de
PIS.
Materiales v m6todos: Se entrevist6 58 agricultoras y agricultores en base a preguntas semi-cerradas sobre sus habito de
cultivar el frijol y el mafz antes de 1987 (en este afto se inicio el program de PIS an el Proyecto de Generaci6n y
Transferencia de Tecnologia Agropecuaria y Producci6n de Semilla, PROGETTAPS) y en el afio de 1991. Los variables
de transferencia de PROGETTAPS son de un lado variedades majoradas y de otro lado pequefias lotes de semilla con un
manejo especial para la producci6n de misma. Entre las 58 personas entrevistadas, una tercera part participaron cinco
aflos en el program de PIS. Otra tercera parte colaboraron dnicamente un afio con el proyecto y la 61tima parte no fue
capacitado por part de los extensionistas y sirve como un grupo de control. En este trabajo se analiza solamente el uso
de variedades criollas versus variedades mejoradas, lo que es la variable de transferencia mas important para
PROGETTAPS y si las agricultoras o agricultores tenian un lote de semilla establecido 1991.
Resultados: Un cien por ciento para frijol y un 90 por ciento para maiz de los agricultores del grupo que ha participado
cinco aflos en el proyecto, usaron variedades mejoradas en el aflo 1991. Antes del 1987 cero por ciento tenian variedades
mejoradas en esto grupo. La diferencia es altamente significativa en el uso de variedades criollas versus mejoradas entire
el pasado y el present. Segdn datos ogtenidos, la misma observaci6n se puede hacer para el grupo que ha participado
solamente un afio. En el grupo de control no hay una diferencia significativa. Mas detalles se presentan en los cuadros 1
y 2. La adopci6n de pequefias lotes de semilla es de 45 por ciento para frijol y de 30 por ciento para maiz en el grupo
que ha participado cinco aflos. En los otros grupos no se encuentran lotes especialmente para la producci6n de semilla
(cuadro 3 y 4).
Conclusiones: A trav6s del trabajo organizado con grupos de agricultores se puede lograr una mayor adoption de
variedades de mejoradas frijol y maiz, como tambi6n el establecimiento de lotes de semilla. Esto muestra que, si
PROGETTAPS tiene como objetivo principal la transferencia de variedades mejoradas, uno 6 dos afios de trabajo con los
mismos agricultores es suficiente. Si el establecimiento de lotes de semilla es el objetivo de mas importancia, el m6todo
de transferir este paquete no logr6 bien su meta. S61o con la evaluaci6n, por medio de encuestas involucrando tambien
agricultores que no han participado en la red de PROGETTAPS, se puede determinar en una forma satisfactoria, el alto 6
bajo grado de adopci6n.
Poster presentation abstracts 57
Gender Analysis
Facilitator: Thema Paris
Participatory Training in Gender Analysis in FSR
Anita L Frio*
Experimental is learning by doing. How is this done when teaching gender analysis? IRRIs experience in this area has
been exploratory and at best cuts across regional differences in culture and environment. Regional training courses in
gender analysis and its application is FSR is conducted for both South and Southeast Asia. Both courses have the same
curriculum. However, implementation varies. For example, in demonstrations on new technologies relevant to women,
South Asians are more interested in new fuel-efficient stoves while SEAsians are keen in the performance of small
machineries. Participants test different machineries designed at IRRI. Field testing in the rice paddies give participants
actual experience in evaluating the performance of each machine, In seed management, they are shown alternative ways
of storing seeds using a range of medium, from indigenous to sophisticated cold storage process. Several livelihood
projects are also demonstrated. Participants have hands-on practice in preparing substrate for mushroom culture and
making paper from rice straw. Actual on-farm research projects are visited where participants interview both coopera-
tors and research staff. Sharing of experience in conducting gender sensitive projects is an important aspect of training.
Field practicum activities, however, is the most significant activity where participants do a modified agroecosystem
analysis, participatory rapid rural appraisal, KIP interviews and structured interviews of both men and women. Tools
and techniques discussed in the class are field-tested and critiqued in terms of its usefulness and adaptability in their own
projects. This training has 2 outputs, one is a report on the initial site characterization of a village with emphasis on
problem diagnosis and initial solutions which are gender-sensitive. The other output is participants Research Action
Plan in their own sites applying lessons learned in the course. Follow-up on what participants are currently doing in
terms of gender-conscious projects is being done now.
Rural Women's Participation in Insect-Pest and Disease Control and
Management, Ishurdi Region, Bangladesh
Monira Jahan*
In Asia, women are the primary resource users and mangers in the home. The home comprises of multi-dimensional
objective welfare function. A housewife in Bangladesh performs more than 150 different activities within a day. The
household as in a resource poor economy is found in a complex interaction within and between sub-systems of the
household faring systems, and often it is regarded that household activities and its management is not effective and
efficient. One of the areas where rural farm women are not efficient and effective is the insect-pest and disease control
and its management There is not much information about women's participation in the household resource management
and environmental protection.
This piece of work is primarily devoted to analyzing the level of perception of rural women about the insect-pest and
disease caused in different household resources. Secondarily, the paper explains the alternatives of household resource
management for conducive and productive sustainable environment. Finally, the thrust is given to determine the
technical, economical and social factors associated with insect-pest and disease management of household resources. It
is also given importance on how rural farm women's participation can effectively and efficiently be employed for
household resource protection and its management.
Women's Role in the Sustainable Development of Agriculture
Usha Jha* and D.P. Ghimire
Results of various studies concerning time allocation to tasks performed by male and female members of households in
Nepal showed that women contributed more to the accomplishment of both the farm and household activities. The
extent of contributions, however, varies according to the ecological regions and the ethnic groups. The Daraic of Nepal,
unlike the Tharus, have the settlements on both hills and Terais. Agriculture is the only means of their livelihood and
Poster presentation abstracts 58
they are, interestingly, maintaining their lives by improving the productivities of available resources.
This study was undertaken in an aboriginal Darai community of the Central Region of Nepal for estimating the
genderwise time allocation to different household and farm activities and assess their contribution to systems
development All the 32 households of the community were included in the study. The required information was
collected at different points of time and crop seasons by entertaining a specially structured and pretested schedule of the
female heads in the presence of male heads. The result indicated a well integration of crops, livestock and poultry birds
for which women, in addition to the accomplishment of most of the household chores, contributed more than the male
members. Modification of indigenous technology has helped increase the productivity of all the components of
agriculture. This suggests that the development of technology through the evolution of indigenous one would be more
acceptable and sustainable for the promotion of the economy.
Gender Roles in the Household and Farming Systems of Tchenzema Ward in
Morogoro Region Tanzania
NA. Mtenga* and N.M. Mollel
Agriculture is the backbone of Tanzanian economy and is based on the smallholders sector. Production is done by men,
women and children. The extent of participation by each gender varies from society to society and one farming system
to the other. Efforts to improve agricultural productivity in the country has not been very successful; partly due to
gender insensitivity in the extension approach.
This study was conducted for four months in three villages on the western slopes of the Uluguru mountains, with sample
size of 200 including an equal number of males and females living as couples. It focuses on gender roles in the domestic
and farming system and examines 1) the division of labor by gender and age category in domestic chores, production of
cash and food crops and livestock production; 2) decision making by gender; 3) extension method preferred by gender.
Recommendations to relevant institutions are included.
This is an interesting study in a matrilineal society, production relations seem to be different from those observed in
patrilineal societies. Labor division in crop and livestock production is found to be more or less on equal basis; however
females perform most of the domestic work and children play a supporting role. Production decisions are made by
consultations between males and females. Females are custodians of funds from sales of cash and livestock.
Dairy Cow A Promising Enterprise for Resource Poor Farmers in Rural
Bangladesh
D.C. Paul*
A study was conducted at Jessore, Bangladesh in 1990 to understand the production traits of dairy cows, utilization of by
products of milch cows and participation of women in dairy cattle production in the existing farming systems. Thirty
selected households in suburban and rural areas were monitored for a period of 12 months. Mostly crossbred and only a
few improved native dairy cows were found in the study area. Morbidity and mortality of calves and adults were also
less in the sub-urban area than in the village. Housewives were more actively involved than husbands in all aspects of
dairy cattle management like feeding, housing, cleaning, milking, milk marketing, milk processing medication, breeding,
etc. Women also took share in decision making for selling and purchasing of cattle. Part of the milk was sold and part
consumed by the farmer whereas cowdung was used mainly as fuel in the household. Maximum selling tendency of
milk was observed in the small and marginal farm category. Milk provides family nutrition and cowdung enriches soil
fertility and meet up fuel crisis. Most of the cattle raisers sold male calves after winning period. Farmers opined that a
five member family can be maintained by rearing two dairy cows. Housewives, without disturbing their daily household
work, earned a steady income for family by rearing milch cow and thus alleviated poverty.
We conclude that it is possible to raise income level through proper utilization of family labor by rearing milch cows but
initially the families need support in investment and technical guidance in such integrated approach of farming systems.
Poster presentation abstracts 59
Women's Efforts in Sustainable Goat Production in the South
West Region of Bangladesh
D.C. Paul*
The purpose of this study was to understand the women' role in goat production and its economic analysis with social
analysis in the existing subsistence of the farming systems. The paper presented a study of perceptions of 60 households
having 3-15 goats in the study area. The survey was conducted at the south west region of Bangladesh during March-
May 1990.
Data was obtained through interviews and field observations. Women were fully responsible for all household work. In
this particular area goat rearing was a profitable business, which was predominantly done by women and partly by
children and other family members in the existing farming. The study revealed that feeding, housing, breeding, milking,
marketing, cleaning, medication and preventive measures of the goat were almost done by women. Goat used as ready
made cash for any crisis period. At least 30 percent income of the total household expenditure of the small farm
category came from household goat production.
Income from this enterprise were generally distributed among different sectors like cloth purchase, children' education,
seed, fertilizer even land purchase, treatment, festivals and daily marketing. Ninety percent of farmers did not consume
goat's milk due to heritage. Higher prolificacy, less disease susceptible, less management cost and easy acclimatization
capacity with agro-ecological situation were the main encouraging causes for goat rearing. Increasing tendency of goat
population was found in the small farm category.
The author concludes that training and modem husbandry education in goat keeping will help village women to change
their traditional goat production system. Opportunities for improvement of existing goat production systems for their
productivity, profitability and sustainability are the main thrust for future research oriented development work strategies
through Farming System Research-Extension approach.
Farmer Participation in Diagnosis of Constraints and Opportunities: The Focus
Village Strategy of Tlu Ekona South West Cameroon
Christie-Fri N. Poubom*
Farming systems practitioners in the Sub-saharan Africa are aware that in order to meet the increasing food production
challenges of small scale farmers in the region, farmer participation in problem diagnosis and prioritizing is essential.
However, the crucial problem remains how to achieve farmer's participation in the on-farm research process. This paper
discusses the focus strategy used by the farming system research unit in South West Cameroon. It also brings out the
problems faced, particularly by women who are the major producers of food in the province.
Women in Forestry Related Activities: A Case Study in Dhaijan Village of
Jhapa, Nepal
Baby Poudel*
This research explores various aspects on forestry related activities performed by women of Dhaijan village (located near
a forest) in Jhapa district of Nepal. Based on a formal survey, the study explored various forestry related activities
performed by women, socio-economic factors which influence women in forest conservation, and women's attitude on
forest conservation. Fuel, fodder and vegetable collection from the forest were identified as women's major activities.
Low level of education, unemployment, and unawareness towards feasible alternatives were women's major socio-
economic barriers for forest conservation. The paper concludes with suggestions and recommendations to policy makers
about women's roles in forest conservation.
Poster presentation abstracts 60
Poster Presentations
On-Farm Experimentation
Facilitator: John Caldwell
Sustaining Productivity of Potato-Maize Inter-Cropping System through
Developing Technology at On-Farm Trials in Mid Altitude Plateau of Nigeria
Alfred Bershep and S.S. Cheema*
Maize is an important crop of the area during wet season. Potato normally grown in dry season with irrigation, is also
grown in this season as rainfed crop due to ecological advantages of higher altitudes. Of recent potato/maize inter-
cropping has become an important wet season cropping system to take advantage of short growing season of potato and
architectural structure of component crops. Farmers have been using variable practices for this system with continued
low productivity of component crops. For improving/sustaining the productivity of the system, systematic efforts were
made to work out the technology as location specific research under farmers situation as On-Farm Adaptive Research
(OFAR). Aspects studied were time of introducing component crops, geometry of planting and timing of fertilizer
application. The results indicated that 1) it is advantageous to grow these crops in mixture than sole cropping of any of
these; 2) maize in the system can be introduced 1-2 weeks after planting potatoes; 3) potato should be grown, on crest of
ridges Im apart, at 30cm and maize on sides of ridges at 30/40cm in between potato stands in an alternate order; 4)
fertilizer application should be completed by 4 weeks after planting of potatoes. These practices were, subsequently,
demonstrated at farms of large number of farmers a Small Plot Adoption Technique (SPAT) and gave yield/income
advantages over the farmers practices. Many farmers have adopted/adopting these practices as a result of extension
messages. The paper presents steps and results of OFAR and SPAT towards technology generation and adoption.
Agroforestry Under Climatic Uncertainty: The Case of the
Central Region of the Cote D'Ivoire
S. Doumbia*
Among all the biophysical factors, the erratic characteristic of the rainfall represents the main constraint to agricultural
production in the Central region of the Cote d'Ivoire. The annual average rainfall is about 1,000 mm to 1,200, and is
bimodal so the farmer can grow two crops each year. The main rotation is maize followed by cotton. The second rainy
season is too short, while the first one which starts in March and ends in June is too erratic. That is why, in this area,
research recommendations put an emphasis on low-input technology for all crops, especially for upland crops. In this
regard, we have been testing since 1986, alley farming as a low-input technology for its capacity to fertilize crops and to
fight weeds at a low cost. The results over four years confirm the high variability of the yield for year to year which
greatly reduces the interest for intensification. We have also noted a slight positive effect of Leucaena leucocephala
(Var K: 128) on maize during the years when the rainfall is well distributed. But in all cases, Leucaena has a negative
effect on cotton.
As a conclusion, it appears after four years of study on alley farming in the Central region of the Cote d'Ivoire that the
influence of climatic factors, especially the one of the rainfall is more important than that of the factors tested in the
experiment. In this regard, we have decided to keep on testing Leucaena for a longer period in order to reach clear and
definitive conclusion about its interest as a new technology under climatic conditions. But meanwhile can we give a
clear answer to the following question: Can the African small scale farmer wait for so long a period to benefit from alley
farming?
Poster presentation abstracts 61
Field Evaluation of Rice-Fish Farming System in Guimba,
Nueva Ecija, Philippines
Cornelia Estabilla*, Rodolfo S. Cornelio, Jose N. Torres, Tito S. Cornelio and Ma Asuncion S.
Cornelio
This study was conducted with aims of identifying, verifying and developing farming system technologies that are
appropriate to specific locations, economically feasible and with greater acceptance to farmers. Likewise, to evaluate the
profitability of the system (Pond Refuge and Trench Refuge System) as compared to rice monoculture.
Results of the study further revealed that pond refuge system appeared to be a better system giving the highest net
income, compared to trench refuge and rice monoculture. On the other hand, pond refuge system was found to be a better
system than the trench refuge due to ease in land preparation, ease in harvesting and better fish growth.
On-Farm Experimentation Methodology for Improving Rice Production in
Rainfed Environments
B.P. Ghildyal*
Rainfed rice production is on resource poor, small, subsistence and risk prone farms under harsh ecology and is based on
farming systems that have interacting ecological, social and economic components. Therefore, participatory rural
appraisal methods were used to develop an ecosystem-based framework for understanding rainfed rice farming systems
and for identifying problems and their solution. Agro-ecological characterization and mapping activities included village
survey for (a) exploration of local social structure, land holdings, inheritance patterns and sources of income (b)
physiographic, soil and hydrological assessment (c) classification of crop enterprise by land types and (d) identification
of problem and opportunities in each land type.
Identified problems were ranked according to their extent, severity and importance of enterprise. Highest ranking
problems were diagnosed in detail. Interactions between biophysical causes and socio-economic constraints to the
problems were examined through systems diagraming for providing a basis for intervention points to solve the problem
through specific technologies. Research and extension opportunities were identified and experimental hypothesis
developed for participatory on-farm research involving farmer prioritization of research and participatory experimental
design.
On-Farm Adaptive Research: Researcher-Farmer Experience in Northern
Nigeria
N.A. Gworgwor*
Extensive research work has been carried out at the Institute for Agricultural Research Samaru. Zaria which covers
extensively the northern states of Nigeria, but the application of these research works to the farmers' condition in order
to improve and sustain his productivity have not been achieved over the years. In order to achieve improvement and
sustainability of the farmers' production capacity through improved technologies, the states established what is called
Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs) to link with the researchers form the Research Institute to have an
appropriate technology tested under farmers condition which is being referred to as On-Farm Adaptive Research.
This On-Farm Adaptive Research with particular reference to the experience with its operation in Kano state (one of the
northern states) from 1981 to 1984 is being reported. The methodology used was first taking diagnostic surveys, and on
the basis of these surveys improved technologies to solve farmers' problems were designed and tested on On-Station
before trying the design on the farmers' fields.
The results show that farmers were very enthusiastic and receptive as they were involved in the whole program, right at
the onset, and for the fact that there were no dramatic deviations from cultural/local practices. And it can be concluded
Poster presentation abstracts 62
that the success of such a program depends on the total involvement of the farmer in the development and adaption of the
intended technology. Researchers, on the other hand, find it easier to design and redesign how to solve the farmers'
problems since he consults him at every stage now.
Towards Self-Sustaining Cooperative Action Through On-Farm
Potato Adaptive Experimentation
Kiran Kokate*
The paper describes a methodology in which the researchers, extensionists and farmers work together for learning by
doing and seeing through "On Farm" trials. The emphasis remains on dealing with problems associated with potato
based farming system and their working solutions appropriate to the target group and the farming pattern, geared towards
a sustainable potato based farming system in the background of formulation of group action and training as the core
concept. The opportunity is provided by a programme for the weaker sections of the society under the title Lab to Land
Programme (LLP) if ICAR for bringing those below poverty line in the main-stream of development through self action,
and technical and input support from the sponsoring organization. Among the adopted group of farmers the key
communicators are identified and then stimulated to identify the problems, jot down relevant information, design and lay
out trials, evaluate the results and finally mutually share the experiences through regular visits, field days and training.
The threads of cooperative action gets strengthened by the adopted farmers not only sharing the information with other
associate farmers by also sharing a part of the quality seed so produced from the experimentation without any cost for a
wider coverage of the area under the programme umbrella. This makes the programme innovative in application of the
latest technical know-how, and inculcating commercial outlook resulting in group becoming the certified potato seed
producers. The group cohesiveness through cooperative spirit in acquiring technical know-how, and its uses and
application for training of fellow farmers, thus, gets incorporated in the strategy for transfer of technology program as a
pedagogical component of the educational methodology. The experiences revealed that it would be unwise to approach
technology generation and its transfer as separate entities. The success lies in making these complementary with a
collective wisdom and learning through seeing and doing as the key focus.
Tree Crop Interface in Agri-Silvicultural Systems of North-West
Region in Bangladesh
N.A. Mondal*, M.S. Ahmed, M.Z. Abedin, and M.S. Aktar
An investigation was undertaken in the north-west region of Bangladesh at the agri-silvicultural module of Forestry
Department. The main objective of the study was to identify the suitable tree-crop interface for higher productivity and
profitability. The study revealed that the grain yield of direct seeded upland rice, groundnut, millets (Kaon) showed no
significant differences compared with their sole croppings when these were sown in between tree species of three years
old 10m x 1m spaced Eucalyptus camaldulensis. Acacia auriculiformis Dalbergia sissoo and Leucaena leucocephala.
The performance of the crops did not differ significantly with different tree species also. Groundnut was found more
productive and profitable with all types of tree species.
Horticulture Based Agroforestry: A Sustainable Farming System for Small
Holders in Eastern Ghat Plateau Region of India
Sabyasachi Rath*
The resource poor tribal farmers of Eastern ghat Plateau region (Phulbani District) of India are interested for maximum
return from their land through a suitable land use pattern with a sustainable farming system. Even though there is
shortage of food, fodder, fuel still then they do not want to keep their land under perennial crops with the fear that
government might reserve claim over their land as if it is forest land.
This paper deals with the methodology of interaction with the farmers by two N.G.O.s who persuaded them to
collaborate with the N.G.O.s for field testing of a long term horticulture based agroforestry system in their field. Each of
the hundred farmers spared one acre of unbounded upland for keeping half acre under perennial fruit crops, short and
Poster presentation abstracts 63
long duration forest species in a particular fashion. In the other half they were allowed to grow annual crops in between
the tree crops which are already familiar to them.
This paper also addresses how the collaborating farmers were involved in every stage of experimentation and
incorporated the local but useful species. This cropping system gives them food, fodder, fuel, and conserve the nutrients,
water and soil under this risk prone, rainfed, forest based farming system.
The Role of FSR/E in Promoting Animal-Drawn Technology
in Sub-Saharan Africa
Hugo S. Sanhueza*
The purpose of this paper is to assess the viability of promoting the use of animal-drawn technology (animal traction) in
Sub-Saharan Africa by means of utilizing the FSR/E approach. Scarce resource farmers lack the appropriate technology
needed to fully utilize their limited resource (ie. land, water, labor). Animal-drawn technology is an appropriate level of
technology for the scarce resource farmer. One of the main characteristics of subsistence farming in Sub-Saharan Africa
is the intensive use of labor in all facets of crop production, to include transportation. Human labor accounts for
approximately 81% of the total available power source, versus 3% and 16%, for machinery and animal power,
respectively. Although draft animals are not widely used in the Sub-Saharan region of Africa, they are making great
contributions where tractor technology is too costly, the topography and size of the smallholdings favors the use of draft
animals, and where the lack of human labor during critical stages of crop production warrants the use of animals. A
critical issue in the promotion of animal-drawn technology is the low level of adoption by the farmer. Technicians and
academicians in the field of international agricultural development agree that animal-drawn technology may hold the key
to the success of the scarce resource farmer in transitioning from subsistence farming to small-scale commercial farming,
thus improving the entire household socio-economic conditions. The use of the FSR/E approach in promoting the use of
draft animals in the subsistence agriculture region of Sub-Saharan Africa may be the critical tool now missing in
facilitating the promotion of animal traction and improving the rate of adoption among scarce resource farmers. What
role FSR/E should pay is the focus of this paper.
Alternatives of Inland Aquaculture Resource Maximization: Resource Use and
Option for Income Generation of Resource Poor Farmers in Bangladesh
Wajed A Shah, Madhury R. Saha, M.V. Gupta, M.A. Momin, Rezaul Karim, and M.A. Karim
Fisheries as a resource in Bangladesh are among the richest in the world. It plays a diversified role in terms of nutrition,
income and employment. Aquaculture resource use contributes about six percent to GDP and eight percent to the total
merchandise export of Bangladesh (Hossain, 1991).
The inland fisheries contribute almost 80% of total national fish production. The inland fishery resources are considered
those variety of water resource like floodplains, rivers, tanks, ponds, and ditches. These resources provide almost
1,12,543 metric tons of fish.
Despite the importance of aquaculture resource to the resource poor farmers, and national economy, it is disrupted by
environmental, technical, economical, and social factors. As a result, existing inland aquaculture resource is
underutilized.
An intensive base line survey study has undertaken to determine the existing inland aquaculture resource use and its
management. Later several on-farm trials were carried out to determine the maximization of income from inland
resources. The alternatives were also tried to findout the minimization of input cost. It was also emphasized the income
effect of aquaculture sub-systems to other sub-systems of the farm economy.
Finally, this piece of work is devoted to the policy option for the farmers and to the regional and national planners.
Poster presentation abstracts 64
Perspectives of Vegetable Components in Farming Systems
Research /Extension Site, Nepal
G.K. Shrestha*
In a farming system research/extension site at Jugedi, the production of vegetables and their consumption by farm
families appeared negligibly. To improve the dietary intake of vegetables and increase economic status of farmers,
incorporation of vegetables in FSR/E site was a felt need. Group discussions with farm households indicated that
vegetable production needed special attention at the research site.
Based on the farmers wealth ranking and their interests, participant farmers were selected for conducting on-farm
vegetable trials. Since the participant farmers had no previous knowledge on raising vegetable seedlings, they were
trained in different aspects that were very crucial in vegetable production. Altogether, 13 different (new to the Jugedi
area) varieties representing 7 vegetable species were introduced to the farming system research site. Researchers-
designed and farmers-managed several on-farm experiments conducted. In the paper, problems, constraints, lessons
learned and results of these farmers managed trials are presented.
Art of Designing Successful on Farm Trials in Risk Prone
Rainfed Lowland Rice Ecosystem
R. Thakur*
Rainfed lowland rice ecosystem has inherent risk of flood and/or drought. The crop depends on monsoon. Effects to
popularize recent production technology has no visible impact. Farmers practice traditional system.
The FSR/E Project context adopted a cluster of four representative villages with a view to develop alternative technology
for rainfed lowland ecosystem. An exploratory research trial comprising eight varieties including local was conducted
after diagnostic survey in two planting dates at four locations under farmers management practices. Monitoring and
evaluating by research team and farmers jointly led to the identification of three varieties namely, Rajshree, Sudha, and
local (Bakol). Rajshree, a fortnight earlier than Sudha and local with stable yield was considered superior. This was
subsequently selected for on farm trials. We designed simple trials to enable semi-literate farmers to evaluate the
performance.
In the trial, Rajshree was grown along with local in non-replicated 300-500 m2 area at 24 locations. We advocated
adoption of a single input (variety) instead of the package first year. Farmers practice was adopted. The assessment was
rewarding. The variety excelled local at 22 locations. Its earlier harvesting led timely planting of Rabi crops also.
Farmers preferred it also in the kitchen. Awareness about this variety was visible in second year when farmers asked the
package also. In the same way 18 on Farm Trials in second and 14 in third years were conducted. Impact assessment
revealed its excellent adoption mainly due to simple and easily understandable trial design and varietal stability.
How Small Farmers Manage the Risk in Adopting New Technology: Case Study
of Climbing Beans in Two Different Agro-Ecological in South of Rwanda
Marie Jeanne Uwera*
This paper analyzes how small farmers in two different agro-ecological zones react differently to the introduction of
climbing beans, depending on their own strategies.
The results of on-farm experiments show that higher yields and increasing net benefits are not the only criteria farmers
apply when deciding whether or not to change their cropping systems. There are other economic, social and cultural
criteria that influence farmers' decision-making. An ex-post analysis of both study areas reveals net differences. For
example, although farms are generally very small in both locations, they are significantly smaller in one area and soils
are poorer, with market outlets on the other hand are better.
It becomes obvious that farmers' objectives and decision-making need to be taken into account before designing research
activities.
Poster presentation abstracts 65
The prevailing farming systems need to be well studied in order to allow for an ex-ante analysis of existing adoption
potential. Further research should develop a range of technological options that allow small farmers a choice well suited
to their ecological and socio-economic conditions.
These research findings should have an impact on the bean program of the National Institute if an interdisciplinary
research is promoted.
Further efforts are necessary to prove and demonstrate the advantages and the gains interdisciplinary research may have
in commodity programs in order to induce an institutional change.
Linkages and Impact: Station Research
Facilitator: Akinwumi Adesina
Farmer Participation and the Role of Prefectural Research Station
Multidisciplinary Teams in On-Farm Trials in the Einoshikenchi (Production
Farm Test) Program in Japan
John S. Caldwell*
Reflecting its larger role in the world economy and international community, in the late 1980s the dollar amount of
Japan's overseas development assistance rose to first place, overtaking the United States. A re-examination of Japan's
domestic agricultural development experience can provide useful lessons for developing countries today, and improve
agricultural development assistance carried out by Japan and other countries.
Japan's domestic agriculture essentially completed a transition to a developed-country structure around 1960. The last
phase of the modernization process was the post-war period of the 1950s. During this period, from 1952 to 1962, Japan
developed and applied nationwide an approach to agricultural development call the eino shikenchi (production farm test)
approach. The approach was carried out by multidisciplinary teams based at each prefectural experiment station. The
teams went into the villages to conduct surveys and carry out long-term applied agricultural research. Trials were carried
out with farmers in three locations for each research theme for a period of four consecutive years. Farmer participation
and the manner in which the teams functioned in the approach are explained based on reports form 5 prefectural
experiment stations and interviews with farmers who participated in the trials and former members of the teams.
Comparisons are made with several approaches used in the southeast United States during the 1940s and 1950s that had
similarities with FSR/E, including the Balance Farming program and the Farm Home Development program.
Comparisons are also made with FSR/E methods used today.
Utilization of Linkages in Farmer Problem Identification and Transfer: A
Contribution of FSR/E in Sri Lanka
Mangala de Zoysa*
Farmer extension research linkages play a vital role in transferring farmers' problems and needs to research stations.
Past research and extension traditions mainly dealt with forward flow of knowledge and information. The popular
Transfer of Technology model made a favorable environment for this top down flow. Fortunately, today, scientists
increasingly pay attention to the formulation of development approaches which focus on backward flow of farmers
problem identification and transfer functions. The Farming Systems Research and Extension (FSR/E) approach has
already made efforts to establish formal and informal forums to strengthen the liaison between farmer extension -
research. However, it is important to understand the prevailing conditions prior to making any modification to a system.
Based on the finding of an exploratory study carried out in Sri Lanka, this paper discusses the facts concerning the
existing functions on farmer problem identification and transfer, and the farmer extension research linkages.
Poster presentation abstracts 66
The "Farming Systems Programme" A Regional Programme for
East and Southern Africa
Bo Gohl*
This programme, executed by FAO, came into operation towards the end of 1990. Its set-up and mode of operation is
unusual for an FAO executed project.
The programme is governed by a Coordinating Committee consisting of representatives from the countries participating
in the programme (at present Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, and Botswana). A small central office in Botswana coordinates
programme activities. Each participating country has also a national coordinator located in the respective Ministries of
Agriculture.
The objective of the programme is to facilitate the introduction and application of a Farming Systems perspective in
agricultural research, training, extension and development This is done through a variety of means and activities, such
as training seminars, workshops, staff exchange, methodological developments, financial support to national and
regional projects, scholarships, documentation service and networking.
An Analysis of Yield and Economic Stabilities of Continuous and Rotation
Cropping Systems for East-Central Nebraska
Glenn A. Helmers*
Yield and income stabilities of rotation and continuous cropping systems will be analyzed using experimental data from
east-central Nebraska. Seven years of information about these eight cropping systems were combined with historical
prices, and estimated production costs to calculate net returns for each system. Risk was analyzed as net return variability
using statistical characteristics of the net return series. Mean, standard deviation, skewness, and c.v. of the yields and net
returns will be presented.
Lotus Macro Run Database Spreadsheet for On- Farm Economic Analysis
of Rice Fish Data: A Tool for Field Researchers
Jose S. Nicolas*
A simple LOTUS macro run database spreadsheet for a farm economic analysis of rice-fish data was developed
primarily for non programmer-researchers/technicians involved in field monitoring, data tabulation, computation and
analysis. The macro run spreadsheet is aimed at cutting off time and effort in doing repetitive computation tasks and the
need to remember keystrokes required to do certain tasks.
The spreadsheet features direct data entries from the field input sheets (FIS) or monitoring forms to the computer output
sheets (COS) to generate data on labor and material costs and gross product value. These data when extracted from the
COS and file combine later in the computer analysis sheets (CAS) can do a number of economic and statistical
calculations (e.g. cost and return and partial budget analysis, measures, measures of dispersion, etc.) and graphics.
Farming System Research Network An Approach in Developing Sustainable
Agriculture in India
R.K. Pandey*
The need to sustain accelerated food production in different agro-climatic regions of India requires more effective
methods of technology generation and diffusion to solve the farm problems. A farming system research and extension
network offers appropriate mechanism for such endeavor. In developing sustainable agriculture, farming system
technology must be ecologically compatible and economically viable. For this purpose, India has been divided in six
Poster presentation abstracts 67
eco-systems viz., arid, semi-arid, sub-humid, humid, coastal, and islands. Ecosystem based farming system involving
annual crops, agroforestry, livestock, and aquaculture that are capable of sustaining productivity of farm resource are
described.
On-farm research methodology in farming system perspective describes the model of technology generation, adaptation
and adoption by resource poor farmers in each ecosystem. Farmer participation in the problem diagnosis and developing
need based technology and integration of indigenous technical knowledge of the farmers form part of on-farm research.
The problem solving component technology and its interaction with system and sub-system level has also been outlined.
Indian farming system network has 82 centers in 5 major ecosystems of the country. The network promotes the
exchange of information on FSR methodology and technology and knowledge and concept of sustainability among
scientists of five ecosystems of the country.
Extending an FSR Approach: Linkages to Thematic Research and Extension in
Burkina Faso
Jean-Baptist Taonda*
An FSR approach is the preferred method for conducting agricultural research in Burkina Faso. This approach aims to
promote rural development through research which is pertinent to the interests and needs of producer families. Research
is focused at several levels: production unit, village, territory, and region. By necessity, producers, local development
entities, and decision makers all are implicated in the research process. This approach requires a regular dialog among
these actors with a feedback loop to monitor impact and change.
The RSP (FSR) program is the key entity in institutionalizing the FSR approach. It employs a number of training and
information dissemination mechanisms to extend the FSR methodology.
The RSP program conducts SONDEOS with thematic researchers as a way of introducing them to rural producers.
Thematic researchers typically are uninformed about why their recommendations are not adopted by villagers. In the
company of RSP researchers they learn to initiate a dialog with rural producers and gain a better appreciation of a range
of limiting factors, in addition to the biological and physical constraints which they recognize.
RSP trains technician-supervisors in the extension service of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. Workshops
focus on data collection, particularly using SONDEO; the implantation of tests in farmers' fields; and data analysis. The
objective of this training is to render the extension service, with its hundreds of field agents, more capable of conducting
research-development activities and thereby to increase the impact of agricultural research.
This paper discusses these efforts to institutionalize an FSR approach to research and extension in Burkina Faso.
Linkages with Station Research in Eastern India
Krushdhari Tirkey* and Satish Chandra Prasad
Conventional research has played its role in favored ecologies of India with lesser impacts in complex, diverse, and
harsher ecologies of Eastern India. FSR/E farmers participated in analysis and technologies development and executed
much of it by the group of farmers. This approach is contrary to preconceived ideas of the researchers viewing
selections on the established statistical basis. Both systems are complementary. FSR/E provided critical information for
new or revised research agenda to station researchers. It also provided an interactive and iterative research process.
In the adopted villages of BAU the methodological development was attempted by providing many rice varieties and
strains for evaluation and the result was amazing. The preference of the varieties entirely differed from rating of the
station research and influenced the change in the selection and thereby provided basis of location specific trials and
limited adaptions with success rather than wider adapted variety with lesser acceptability by the farmers. This indicated
that the drought prone environment is heterogenous and requires heterogenous material than simplified version described
Poster presentation abstracts 68
above. This provided key to researchers that in complex and risk prone ecosystems the success lies with decentralized
and resource based research strategies.
Linkages and Impact: Public and Private Extension
Facilitator: Rita Joldersma
Diffusion of FSR Technology in Bangladesh
Abdul Halim*
The technology developed by the farming systems research (FSR) team in Bangladesh has got a basic difference with
that developed by the commodity or discipline oriented on-station researchers. The FSR technology is problem and
system oriented. The FSR being a farmer participatory research carried out at the farmers' own environment by an inter-
disciplinary team, follows a holistic approach, which is particularly suitable for the small and marginal farmers in the
context of Bangladesh. Thus the course of development of an FSR technology from its inception to maturation is not
similar to that of conventional technology. As a result, the diffusion process of FSR technology is also different from the
present regulatory extension approaches of the Government department. This paper has identified the similarities and
dissimilarities between the existing national agricultural extension approach and the FSR extension approach in
Bangladesh. Finally, a model for integrating the FSR extension approach with those of others including NGO's has been
suggested on the basis of working experiences gained at the farmers' level.
The modified model has been suggested using a diagram to utilize upazila (the lowest administrative unit of government)
as the focal point for coordinating all the technology transfer activities to the farmers. The use of multi-purpose instead
of mono-crop extension workers has been suggested as the same farmers simultaneously raises crops, livestock and
fishers, whatever small his farm may be. Demonstration, field trials, multi-location testing, pilot production programme
and training are built-in in the suggested model. The services of Agricultural University and institutions will be utilized
and thereby the three components of agriculture as teaching, research and extension will be integrated. The experiences
of Comilla approach, 'T & V system' and NGO's along with FSR have been considered in developing the model.
Supply Pattern of Feed, Fodder and Forage Under Normal and Stress Situation:
Analysis of Farm Level Data
Md. Kamrul Islam*
A survey was conducted at the Farming Systems Research (FSR) site, including eight villages of Bagherpara Upazila
under the district of Jessore During the year 1990. The main objective were, to identify the existing feed, fodder and
forage situation, feeding practices during the normal and stress period for livestock and to identify the abundance and
stress period of feed, fodder, and forage. It was found that rice straw, green grass, tree leaves, rice bran, pulse bran,
oilcake, salt and kitchen waste (rice gruel and vegetable barks) are the main existing conventional feed. On the other
hand, pulse hay, water hyacinth, green grass, banana plant, tree leaves are also used as non-conventional feed by the
farmers of surveyed area. It was noticed that during the months of October to April was the maximum shortage period of
feed, fodder, and forage for livestock due to Aman rice and then winter crops like pulses, mustard, wheat, and boro rice.
During the months of May to September, all rainfed areas remain fallow due to drought and then feed shortage noticed
minimum comparing earlier period because cattle and goats can graze in the field.
Farm-Level Evaluation of Adoption & Retention of a Technology
Menwuyellet Moussie*
One of the major concerns of donor agencies is the question of farmers' adoption and retention of technologies
developed by research institutes to which they provide funding. External evaluators of agricultural research projects put
a lot of weight on the level of adoption for impact measurement. Government officials inquired whether the welfare of
farmers has improved due to the development and diffusion of a certain technology. In all, research institutes are
Poster presentation abstracts 69
becoming more and more accountable whether their research results have reached and been adopted by the ultimate
beneficiaries of research farmers.
This paper examines the approach that an FSR/E project in Cameroon has followed in establishing a mechanism, and
hence facilitate the diffusion and adoption of technologies. The paper also analyzes the project's impact on the degree of
adoption and retention of new varieties of maize developed by the Institute of Agricultural Research, Cameroon. From a
survey conducted in the project's target area, key determinants were identified that explain the level of adoption and
retention of a technology. Once these determinants are known, FSR/E researchers and extension agents can tailor their
extension activities toward a specific target group. This approach is believed to be cost effective and more focused,
which is well liked by donors, evaluators and decision makers.
Community-Based Integrated Technology Transfer for Sustainable
Upland Agriculture
Belinda Kintanar Navascues*
Pu.rose: To share and disseminate the valuable learning experiences of a successful integrated systems approach in the
transfer of technologies for sustainable upland agriculture as experienced in Central Philippines.
Methodologies Used: Multi-location testing/pre-post pilot evaluation surveys/community-based researches and
technology transfer models/showcasing.
Results & Conclusions: 1) Simple appropriate technologies for sustainable upland agriculture are best transferred to
others by model farmers using the systems approach. 2) FSR/E when consistently shared with other communities
(showcasing) provides a stronger, sustainable network of expertise readily available to complex, multi-faceted
agriculture based problems. 3) Consultations and community participation in rural development serves as a tackling
mechanism to resolve socio-economic conflicts at the soonest possible time and least cost to the government. 4) Progress
and success of this model is reflected in terms of the number of project replications done within and outside the Central
Region of the Philippines.
The Total Extension System (TES): A Unique Technique for Involving Grassroot
Participation in Sustainable Development Programs
Gegeolanisimi T. Ogunfiditimi*
The Total Extension System (TES) was designed by Ogunfiditimi in 1989 as an alternative technique to all the existing
agricultural extension systems which hitherto lacked the necessary logistics to actively involve their target groups from
the onset of programs meant for them. This failure has led to inappropriate diagnosis that can enhance sustainable
development.
TES, which has been field-tested among various peasant farmers in ten different rural communities, made the "District
Participation" (DP) of the target groups in a given program the cardinal point of its effective operation thus emphasizing
bottom-up approach to development.
TES provides a collaborative ecosystem forum par excellence for bringing all relevant experts' inputs together and to
dialogue on a given package of innovation before its is "SOLD" out.
TES among other things has the following advantages: 1) It is grassroot oriented. 2) It is less expensive to run and more
cost-effective than others. 3) It provides for a unique indigenous knowledge council chamber where target and scientists
meet to dialogue from time to time on issues relating to how programmes can succeed and remain sustainable. 4) It
possesses a unique command relationship that has helped farmers to increase their level of production. It is "Take it or
demand different package or program" as opposed to others with "Take it or leave it", "Take it or else" or "Take it or
turn away". TES is currently being used in 30 villages of Oyo State of Nigeria through the University of Ibadan Pilot
Project on Rural Development (PPRD). It has worked wonders.
Poster presentation abstracts 70
Improving Financial Management by Reducing Dairy Feed
Costs with Quality Forage
George G. Portice*
On-farm alfalfa yield and quality trials were initiated on eight farms in Ogemaw County, Michigan in 1990 involving
240 acres of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Ten farms participated during 1991 involving 320 acres of alfalfa. The trials
were designed to evaluate both quality and quantity of alfalfa being grown and used by dairymen in the area. The
objective was to assess the impact of improved forage yield and quality on reducing milk production cost, its impact on
the farm's financial situation and to train farm leaders in sharing skills gained in forage production.
Yield and forage composition data was collected from a field of fifteen acres or more with each cooperating farm. Yield
and quality data were collected throughout two growing seasons. Average yields in 1990 were 2.41 (1st cut), and 1.28
(2nd cut), and 1.32 (3rd cut) tons per acre. Average yields during 1991 were 2.43 (1st cut), 1.61 (2nd cut), and 1.46 (3rd
cut) tons per acre. Composite samples collected from each cutting on each farm were dried and analyzed for forage
quality using NIR analysis at the Michigan State University Forage Lab. RFV during 1990 ranged from 99-139 (1st cut),
109-148 (2nd cut), and 111-147 (3rd cut). During 1991 crop RFV ranged from 104-123, 123-145, and 95-126 for 1st,
2nd, and 3rd cutting respectively. With this information and the use of a computer modeling program we were able to
determine feed costs per cwt. milk produced. In 1990 the feed cost per cwt. milk produced by the participants ranged
from $1.95-$2.49. In 1991 the range was $1.95-$2.58. With feed cost ranges such as these a 100 cow herd producing
17,000# milk could potentially realize a cost savings in excess of $10,000 on production costs. These trials prove to
County Agents and local dairy men how the cost of producing milk from quality forage can be used as a factor in
measuring their financial management. Cooperators have demonstrated that yields of five ton and higher can be
reasonably achieved using sound management practices.
Methodology for the Study of Farmers Local 'Indigenous' Knowledge Systems in
FSR/E Programs: In-Service Training Program for Research/Extension
Practitioners An Experience from Venezuela
Consuelo Quiroz*
Recently there has been an upsurge of the study of local 'indigenous' knowledge (LKS) by research scientists and
extension workers in developing countries, who are recognizing the great importance of understanding, respecting and
utilizing this kind of knowledge as important substitutes for or complement of formal knowledge and technologies. But
despite of its importance, such kind of knowledge has been often marginalized and given low priority in mainstream
agricultural development programs. In other words, few examples have been studied with the purpose of developing an
integrated approach to solving agricultural and rural problems. Even in FSR/E programs, where there are linkage
mechanisms between farmers and researchers, information about this kind of knowledge has been rarely gathered and
fully utilized. One important reason which helps to explain the neglect of this kind of knowledge in rural development
programs is the lack of a formal methodology providing agricultural scientists with techniques for studying such
knowledge for fostering farmer's self-help. There is the need for developing strategies to identify, collect, and develop
LKS. There are different ways to try to overcome that problem, one of those is the implementation of inservice training
programs aiming to prepare agricultural practitioners for those tasks.
The p2upse of this paper is to describe one approach to the development of that kind of inservice training programs. In
this particular experience from Venezuela the research perspective used is the 'Interpretive qualitative approach'.
This paper describes the content and process of the theoretical and methodological training of the practitioners, it also
discusses some of the most important results of that particular experience. It aims to serve also as an invitation to a
dialogue and debate concerning different approaches to developing inservice programs pursuing similar objectives.
Poster presentation abstracts 71
Transfer of Farming System Technologies Through Crop Diversification
Program in Bangladesh
Md Abdur Razzaque*
The existing transfer of technology system in Bangladesh focuses little attention of pulses, oilseeds and tuber crops. In
order to facilitate transfer of Farming System technologies that incorporate these groups of crops, special program called
Crop Diversification Program has been initiated. This paper discusses the potential, constraints and farmers response to
the technology package that has been demonstrated as pilot production program at different agro-ecological
environments. So far the result indicated that the present range of technology package was not suitable for all agro-
ecological and socio-economic condition. Incorporation of short duration HYV in the cropping pattern has increased the
yield of different crops by 40-50 percent under rained and partially irrigated conditions. Application of modest amount
of sulphur and zinc increased the yield of mustard and potato at the tune of 15-20%. Use of inoculum to chickpea and
lentil helped farmers save 45 kg urea/ha. The current recommended level of nitrogen to Nabin variety of chickpea led to
luxuriant vegetative growth under condition of excess soil moisture caused no-flowering and no-pod formation.
Growing potato without tillage using water hyacinth as mulch has been well adopted by the farmers because if offers the
opportunity of timely planting and conservation of residual soil moisture besides higher yield (25.0t/ha) compared to
normal planting (10.0t/ha). True potato seed (AtzenbaxR-128) produced as high as 32t/ha yield of seed potato that
enables farmers to keep good quality seed potato. The "kironi" variety of sunflower and 'shohag' variety of soybean
showed great potential to bring seasonal fallow land under cultivation as new crops. The locally improved Tori-7 variety
of mustard is more compatible for intercropping with sugarcane than the HYV SS-75. The practice of helm cutting of
potato 15 days before the harvest increases the toughness of potato skin and becomes resistant to injury and loss of
moisture. Post harvest storage of potato with sand and local insect-repellent botanical polvgonum hydropiper reduced
the infestation of potato tuber moth that creates opportunity for marketing agribusiness using female labor in on-farm
storage of potato. Besides cropping system activities, future programs will be expanded gradually to homestead, agro-
forestry, livestock and fisheries components.
Assessment of en Bloc On-Farm Experimentation Approach in the Gandak
Command of Bihar, India
R.B. Sharma*
Experience of the author at three different irrigation minors each having a command area of about 220 to 235 ha and 18
to 20 outlets in the Gandak Command of Bihar, India has shown that en bloc on-farm experimentation that is where
experiments are conducted on several farmers' fields that are located in a compact block not only facilitated the work of
experimenters but also met with greater success in adoption of improved technology by the farmers than in cases where
farms were scattered over a large area. Two years after the inception of these en bloc on-farm experiments the following
significant changes were observed: a) fallow land reduced by more than 25%, b) long duration low yielding local rice
cultivars replaced by improved medium duration varieties yielding up to 35 to 38 q/ha in about 40 to 60% area making
fields available for timely planting of winter crops, c) increasingly changing cropping patterns from sugarcane and rice-
summer moong to rice-wheat and rice-rapeseed-summer moong, d) 28% increase in the number of farmers and 60 fold
increase in the area under rapeseed at one of the minors. Also more than 200% increase in the areas under wheat, e)
increased use of pyrites for soil reclamation, f) formation of Water Users Association at two of the three minors resulting
in a better water supply in the minor and repairing and maintenance of field channels by beneficiaries through voluntary
labour and/or cash contributions, g) increased water use efficiency by about 2 to 2.5 fold and, h) increased productivity
of major crops (rice, winter corn, wheat, and rapeseed) ranging from about 1.5 to 3 fold resulting in about 1.5 to 2.5 fold
increases in the economic returns to the farmers adopting improved crop production technology.
Poster presentation abstracts 72
Haryana Farmers Scientists and Extensionists Interaction and Collaborative
On-Farm Technology Transfer and Evaluation
Sat Parkash Singal, and Kashmiri Lal Arora
Haryana is a small state in north-western part of India, having a population of 12.8 million with an area of 44222 sq.km.
It has diverse agro-climatic regions, cultures and livestock husbandry practices. Northern Haryana is wet or sub-humid,
has fertile land with abundant irrigation facilities and the farmers are more receptive to the newer farming technologies,
whereas southern Haryana is dry or arid, has less irrigation resources and agricultural success depends mainly on scanty
rainfall and the farmers continue to remain traditional and are reluctant to switch over to new technologies resulting in
huge unnoticed economic loss. From 1979 to 1984, Haryana Agricultural University (HAU) scientists made an informal
diagnostic survey examining 2600 animals, fields soil and plants to determine major problems and constraints and found
that 78% of the breedable animals with the farmers were having such reproductive problems that could be corrected by
them by simple managemental and therapeutic means and the feeds and fodder that they grow in their fields were
deficient of minerals especially the phosphorous leading to reproductive problems in animals.
The authors developed a program model to find out an optimal solution for increased crops and livestock production in
two villages in dry and two villages in wet zone of the state with a generous grant of Fort Valley State College-Fort
Valley, USA. This model explains a constructive interactive relationship between farmers of these four villages,
university researchers and the authors from April 1987 to September 1989, during which group meetings were held with
the farmers explaining to them the results of the diagnostic survey and the problems and constraints identified. During
this study, the farmers of these selected villages were provided necessary inputs like seeds, fertilizers, irrigation and soil
testing facilities, reproductive health control of their animals by organizing regular camps in their villages, providing
marketing facilities and regular monthly follow up to check the progress due to technology inputs in their fields and
animals.
The study revealed that 70% of the animals, which were uneconomical to them came into production thus enhancing the
milk output and became a source of income. These farmers served as demonstration units to the farmers of other cluster
of villages with an area of ten miles around. The paper further describes, how 80% womenfolk population of the villages
were engaged in agriculture and livestock care chores due to an increased sense of awareness in newer technology inputs
in their fields, reproduction management and preventive health care of their animals for bringing them into a productive
stage earlier.
Linkages and Impact: Policy
Facilitator: Eduardo Zaffaroni
Women Rice Farmers in West Africa: A Critical Review with Implications for
"Gender Sensitive" Technology Development Strategies
Akinwunmi Ayodeji Adesina*
Accurate statistics on the number of women in the agricultural labor force in Africa is lacking, and the available
estimates vary widely. It has been estimated by some authors that 70-90 percent of the farming population in Africa are
women and that they constitute 60-80 percent of the agricultural labor force. International Labor Organization statistics
show that the share of women in the agricultural labor force is highest in sub-saharan Africa, representing 39 percent in
Africa, 28 percent in Asia, 18 percent in the Middle-East and 11 percent in Latin America. Regardless of the disparities
in the statistics, it is evident that women play a major role in the agriculture of developing countries.
Women are very important in the rice production systems of West Africa. In some countries and among certain ethnic
groups they are the primary producers of rice. Despite their importance, rice development projects and technologies
have either bypassed women or displaced them from their traditional income earning activities. As intensification of rice
production occurs within the labor limiting rice production systems of West Africa, based largely on the introduction of
the Asian model of irrigation and double cropping, the demands on women's labor increases significantly. Therefore, it
Poster presentation abstracts 73
is important to characterize the role of women in rice production, identify their access to and their control of production
factors, determine the impacts of development programs and rice intensification technologies on women farmers, and
project the implications of women's involvement in agriculture for the development of gender-sensitive rice
technologies.
Drawing on the gender literature in West Africa, this paper conducts an extensive critical review of these issues as they
affect women rice farmers in West Africa. The paper argues that women form a majority of rice producers in West
Africa, but that rice development and technology programs, and government land reforms or customary land tenure
systems have been extremely biassed against (or have impacted negatively on) women and have thus inhibited them
from achieving productivity increases. Areas for further research for ensuring the generation of gender sensitive rice
technologies and development programs are discussed.
Research Policy Analysis: Rates of Return Studies
Doyle Curtis Baker*
In 1991, a pilot benefit-cost analysis was carried out on recommendations developed by a FSR team working in the
inland forest zone of southern Cameroon. In 1992, the pilot study is being extended to additional on-farm research
teams, so a comparative analysis can be made of circumstances and approaches affecting returns to technology
development research. This paper gives results from the on-going Cameroon rates of return study.
The paper starts with explanation of the analytical approach, which is based on a project-level model developed by
Contant and Bottomley at ISNAR. Empirical results are given on research costs for on-station and on-farm research.
The benefit-cost analysis itself distinguishes recommendation specific returns from overall research unit returns. The
analytical approach thus provides three key types of information for research policy analysis: a) research cost patterns, b)
program assessments of efficiency in producing recommendations, and c) returns to various types of research under
different adoption scenarios.
While the rates of return study is still on-going, the study has already demonstrated the value and feasibility of
"intermediate" benefit/cost analysis, ie. analysis carried out after most research is finished but prior to completed
adoption. Since FSR teams are under increasing pressure to show research impact, intermediate benefit-cost analysis is
an important analytical tool which requires further attention and development.
The Role of Ecosystem Inventories in Evaluating the Sustainability of
Subsistence Farming/Fishing Systems: A Case Study from
the Dominican Republic
Gaye Burpee*
Inventories of marine and terrestrial ecosystems in the Caribbean farming-fishing village of Buen Hombre, Dominican
Republic, were conducted in 1991 and 1992 to evaluate the sustainability of current local farming and fishing practices.
Components of this inventory included ground and sea-truthing of satellite images, development of land-use maps,
inventories of marine flora and fauna, transects of village agroecosystems, identification and classification of indigenous
plant, tree and insect species, classification of soils, analysis of terrestrial water supplies, and monitoring of local
climatic patterns. These data were compared to a series of baseline aerial and satellite photos from 1958 to 1989.
Evidence of ecosystem change was used to:
1. Identify management practices which best match farming and fishing practices to the indigenous ecosystem and
which, therefore, sustain and enhance local subsistence systems.
2. Quantify marine and terrestrial ecosystem changes to stimulate political change.
Maps and photos of ecosystem damage over time stimulated officials to use the information in radio and TV publicity,
resulting in stricter protective laws. This paper summarizes the methods used, data collected, the process of
Poster presentation abstracts 74
empowerment and collaboration between officials, villagers and scientists and the resulting changes locally and
nationally. Photos and data served to educate and empower villagers to police their ecosystem, make management
changes, prevent destructive practices by outsiders and increase the use of sustainable practices at the system-level.
FSR in University Training: An Experiment at the School of Agriculture,
University of Zambia
Reinald Doebel*
This video describes two aspects of an experiment at integrating FSR into the curriculum of the School of Agriculture at
the University of Zambia: improved storage bins for maize and waterlifting devices (counterpoise lift or shadouf). The
film shows both the conventional methods and the technological introductions which remained in the field after the four-
year teaching experiment conducted in collaboration with CIMMYT had ended
Alternative Approaches to FSRE Likely Consequences of the Introduction of
Increased Competition
Reinald Doebel*
The paper discusses possibilities for alternative institutional arrangements of both research and extension. Starting point
is the accepted view that FSRE aims at cost-effective research, the result of which should be solutions to real-life
production problems applicable in real-life farms. The paper also take into account institutional arrangements presently
found in most countries and assumes that alternative must provide satisfactory solutions to these institutions. In other
words: suggestions to increase the efficiency of agricultural research must not only demonstrate their ability to increase
the agricultural productivity of given farming systems but also satisfy policy-makers conceptions and needs. Given these
premises the paper discusses the possibilities and problems of privatizing agricultural extension, of conducting
agricultural research closer to the farmer, using a "research farm" approach and of linking the two alternatives to each
other. Both strategies would be aimed at introducing more competition as well as more straightforward measures for
success in research and extension. The paper also discusses possible drawbacks of these strategies.
Integrating Farm-Based Policy Analysis in Farming Systems Research Through
Institutional Collaboration: The Burkina Faso Experience
Daniel Kabore*
The Farming Systems Research Program (RSP) of the Institute of Agricultural Research (IN.E.R.A.) is now entering its
third year. While the first two years were dedicated to the identification of research domains, as well as of constraints
within those domains, and to the launching of on-farm trials to test promising technologies likely to alleviate some of
these constraints, the third year's efforts will concentrate on strengthening the linkages with institutions involved in the
design, implementation and monitoring of agricultural policy.
This paper describes the methods by which IN.E.R.A. is: a) identifying collaborating institutions and drawing research
contracts with them, b) developing, with the collaborating institutions, research agendas that address farm-based policy
problems that bear on technology transfer and adoption, and c) developing and testing, with the collaborating
institutions, research methodologies likely to yield information useful to agricultural researchers and policy makers as to
the type of research products and policy incentives farmers need in order to adopt technologies that increase both the
productivity and the sustainability of their systems.
This approach permits IN.E.R.A. to exploit its comparative advantage in farm-based policy analysis while taking
advantage of the collaborating institutions' strength in the analysis of macro policy issues that affect farm productivity
and income.
Poster presentation abstracts 75
Go-Ngo Collaboration as Equal Partners in a Community-Based Agroforestry
Development Program: Lessons from Antique, Philippines
Rosello C. Macansantos*
The Province of Antique is one of the most depressed areas of the Philippines with some 85% of the households, mostly
small fishermen and farmers, living below the poverty line. Its population of 406,000 is concentrated in the lowlands
which comprise less than 20% of its land area of 252,000 ha. Non-agricultural employment is minimal and population
pressure has accelerated the degradation of the uplands with increasing negative effects on lowland farms, irrigation
systems and other infrastructure.
The Antique Upland Development Program was initiated by the provincial government in the mid-70s as an inter-agency
effort, with the participation of non-government organizations (NGOs), to mobilize and support upland farmer
organizations in attaining the twin objectives of: a) increasing the productivity and incomes of farm households; and b)
rehabilitating and conserving the degraded upland environment. The basic strategy of promoting appropriate upland
farming systems was anchored on standard government extension methodology.
Netherlands assistance since 1988 under the Antique Integrated Area Development (ANIAD) Project has stimulated a re-
assessment and a redirection of Antique's upland development strategy and its extension methodology. Greater
emphasis is now being placed on the role of the upland farmers and their organizations as the key players in a
community-based agroforestry development program. Closer attention is also being given to the need to relate farming
systems to the watershed context of farm planning, upland community organization, and general land use planning. An
extension methodology anchored on the close teamwork at the field and farm level of the GO farm management
technician (FMT) and the NGO community organizer (CO) is being worked out, and a training program supporting this
FMT-CO teamwork has been initiated. GO-NGO collaboration at the broad program management level is facilitated by
an innovative program management structure, the ANIAD Foundation, which was established on the principle of equal
partnership among its GO and NGO members.
Management of Client Oriented Farming System in Holistic Model
M.A. Hamid Miah and R.N. Mallick
The scope of farming system approach and farming system research and extension ranges from growing a single tree to a
combination of technologies of plant crops, animals resources, environmental perspectives, etc. Farming system
activities are in operation in different countries under different connotation. These activities were surveyed by ISNAR
over nine countries including Bangladesh and came up with the concept of On-farm Client Oriented Research (OFCOR).
The information of these nine countries and a few more Asian and African countries were reviewed and mechanisms of
operating research at farmer's level as "holistic approach" have been suggested for both "resource-poor" and "small farm
holders", keeping Bangladesh situation into consideration. Since socioeconomic conditions as well as political guidance
of different countries are different a model has been suggested for independent farm holders and small farmers including
landless, marginal, medium and large, purpose or goal oriented/commodity cooperatives, like sugarcane, cabbage,
mustard, pulses etc. This type of operational mechanism has also linkage and relevance with Agroecological Zones
(AEZ) and geographical situation for marketing. The constraints for motivation and adoption of "holistic approach"
have been discussed and possible remedial measures for sustainability have been suggested based on experience,
evaluation reports in Bangladesh perspectives and awareness of the policy makers. The suggestions also encompass
managerial issues vis-a-vis technology packages and their suitability at different socio-economic, regional and ethnic
conditions of Bangladesh including feedback mechanism. Attempt has been made to compare these situation with a few
other Asian and African countries including gender issues.
Poster presentation abstracts 76
Needs and Strategies for Farming Systems Approach (FSA) Training in
Agricultural Training Institutions in Eastern and Southern Africa
Isacc J. Minde*
The experience gained in the region in On-Farm Research and Farming Systems Research OFR/FSR has to date arisen
out of externally supported research projects with an FSR component. In addition, the country and regional training
workshops run and/or financially supported by International Research Centers and agencies have provided the basis for
building the present capacity.
While the role of the above two approaches in building capacity in OFT has been apparent, these cannot lead into a
sustained program of OFR/FSR capacity in the region. There is a need for in-country/regional training programs to be
imbedded and conducted as part of professional training programmes of these institutions. This approach allows for
continuity and also the evolution of effective programmes as relevant research experience within the region gets
incorporated into the program overtime.
The thesis of this paper is that increasing the capacity of agricultural training institutions in teaching OFR/FSR is the
main determinant of the long term potency, stability and sustainability of OFR/FSR. The paper draws on the
justification, outlines a strategies and resource needs for effective implementation.
Institutionalization of the Farming Systems Approach in Zimbabwe
M. Mudhara*
A farming systems research (FSR) teams was set up in the government agricultural research department in 1984 with the
objective of addressing the imbalances in the research thrust of the colonial era regarding small holder agriculture. The
research department is structured along disciplinary lines. This setup enables the FSR team to have consultations with
the disciplinary teams. The FSR team defines the parameters which need to be included for research meant for ultimate
use by small holder farmers to be meaningful. Disciplinary team based researchers pass on their preliminary findings to
the FSR team for on-farm validation.
Problems arose in that for the FSR team to be accepted by the disciplinary teams it had to use conventional research
approaches i.e. at trial design and analysis. Acceptance of the FSR approach was not automatic. Disciplinary teams
tended to prefer to preserve their traditional settings without accommodating the alternatives offered by the FSR team.
Given the dualistic agricultural system of small scale and large scale commercial farmers in Zimbabwe, the FSR team
has improved the relevance of smaller holder research. It also increased the awareness of the constraints the small holder
farmers are faced with so that policy and research agendas relevant to the have emanated.
The FSR team has had formal and informal efforts to establish linkages for translating FSR findings to policy makers
through meetings, seminars, field visits etc. Annual reports and working papers have also been an integral part of the
linkage process.
Rural Economy Division of Gansu Province
Shuwen Niu and Li Shuji
On the wide background about theories and realities, the present report analyzes and recognizes the region difference
regularity on ecological, technical, and economic respects in the rural of Gansu Province, and studies the problem on
which development of rural economy is guided to be classified. Firstly, the writers analyzed systematically quantity,
quality, district distribution and synthetic production potential of various nature resources in Gansu rural. Secondly,
comprehensive estimation was made to material condition, production technique and modes of resources used. Thirdly,
the problems that economy moves in rural Gansu were explored on region division of labor, commodity production and
alteration of economic structure. Then, the relationship among use of resources, ecological environment to be brought
under control, advance of science and technique, and economy developing. Being based on the results from above
Poster presentation abstracts 77
analysis, suggestions and measures were put forwards on which of the resources have to be used and conserved
rationally, combination of production elements if optimized, the contradictory between population and resources is
coordinated and economy developing is speeded up.
In the report, 27 indices about ecological, technical and economic respects were chosen out, 86 administrative regions at
country level in Gansu taken as division unit, the whole province were divided into five rural economy districts by the
mathematical model. The opinion that the superiority of each region is promoted by regionalization, specialization and
commodilization. This report not only possesses important significance to guide rural economy practice of Gansu, but
also some originalities on research method and theory analysis.
Livestock Production Research and Extension for Communal Farmers of
Zimbabwe: Issues, Conflicts, and New Directions
V.L. Prasad*
The sharp division of Agricultural Sector of Zimbabwe into communal and commercial subsectors is well known. Since
independence, the Government is trying to reorient the research and extension thrust to meet the needs of Communal
Farmers (CFs). However, Livestock Production research in terms of generation technologies or in providing Extension
advise to CFs did not go very far.
The paper presents issues and conflicts pertaining to livestock production in communal areas and offers directions for
research and Extension. CFs cattle keeping mainly to provide arable inputs like traction and manure, conflicts with beef
off-take from communal areas. The current pricing of beef penalizes small indigenous breeds like Mashona which are
held by CFs. The overgrazing of communal pastures and the practice removing leaf litter from forests leave the grazing
schemes starved and counter the sustainability of crop and animal agriculture. The erratic rainfall and the prolonged
dry season that precedes the agriculture season entail weak draft animal pool that precipitates low feed-weak draft
power-low feed type of vicious circle.
A methodology for conducting on-farm trials with minimum farms for small farmers milk production was presented
along with statistical implication. The directions outlined in the paper include more dynamic ex ante analysis of the
problem; highly 'tuned' station based applied research; and highly selected on-farm adaptive research. The role of
"Committee on On-Farm Adaptive Research and Extension" (COFRE), an institutional innovation tried in Zimbabwe,
was highlighted.
Agricultural Marketing System in Tanzania. A Case Study in the Cashewnut
Growing Areas of Southeast Tanzania
Honest Temu* and Richard Lamboll
Marketing has been identified as major constraint on agricultural products in Tanzania. With respect to this, the study
was carried out with the following objectives: To establish the relative importance of crops for food and cash, to estimate
the volume and producer price of crops that are being traded to identify marketing channels and to identify constraints on
the production and marketing of crops. 1200 households from 120 villages, selected randomly were interviewed using a
structured questionnaire. The data was analyzed by computer using dBase IV and Lotus 1-2-3 programs. The following
are the findings of the study: 1) During the study period cashewnut marketing had not been liberalized. Therefore,
legally private traders could not purchase the nuts. However, sales of cashew to private traders and/or consumers
resulted in prices lower than the official price. 2) It was noted that farmers have made sales to primary societies other
than their local ones. This highlights marketing difficulties. 3) A significant proportion of farmers had to wait for six
months or more for payment after sales of cashew to their local primary societies. This is because the primary societies
usually have no money to purchase the nuts in the marketing season 4) Although cashew is regarded as a solely male-
owned crop, over 60% of female headed households own cashew. In 1990/91 in South-East Tanzania, cashew was more
important as a source of cash than all the other cash crops put together. In comparison, cassava and sesame are
completely liberalized and traders are able to export both of these crops. However, for each of these crops traders are
offering a generally higher price than primary societies and delays in payment are almost non-existent.
Poster presentation abstracts 78
Improving Household Income and Agricultural Productivity in Nepal
Pradeep M. Tulachan*
This paper reviews a number of farmer practiced indigenous systems/methods from different parts of Nepal as opposed
to government policies/programs to improve agricultural productivity and farmers' cash income. While the past
government programs were production focused (through technology transfer), local people (in some parts of the country)
followed market oriented activities to improve their cash income including local income generation, which are replicable
to other parts of Nepal. The government's target oriented production focused programs (through public extension
activities) and related polices neglected local/indigenous systems and suffered in two ways: 1) lack of sustainability due
to the lack of market linkage networks; and 2) creation of dependency on the public sector leading to erosion of local
incentives, sustainability base and competitive edge.
In conclusion, this paper suggests that an objectively focused demand pulled/market driven agricultural development
model presents the best option to improve the agricultural sector of Nepal. This approach would increase farm income
that leads to the adoption of modern technology, which in turn would improve crop productivity. Thus, the present role
of public extension programs and related government polices should be reassessed. Alternatively, improving the farming
systems of Nepalese agriculture, NGOs and private organizations could be encouraged to play the key role in: 1)
replication of indigenously available market-led growth activities; and 2) market-led technology dissemination and
production strategy.
Farming System Research at the Margin: The Case of Burundi
Bruce Smith and Wolfgang Vogel*
In 1986 Burundi adopted FSR through the creation of "Ateliers de Recherche". These regionally based units were to be
the link between farmers and station researchers in a two way flow of information. The Ateliers were to bring the
"system" into the planning of station research and testable results to the farmer. Even though well funded and evoking
substantial institutional enthusiasm the approach has not worked. The system perspective has not pervaded the thinking
of station researchers, rather the ateliers have become extensions of the station.
This paper traces the results of effort to remedy the situation, the continuing stalemate, and the evolution of alternative
strategies. The lessons learned are two: How inappropriate structure came into being that frustrated the ability of FSR to
contribute. Could the problem have been avoided? Given an understanding of institutional history what is proposed for
integrated FSR into the national research agenda.
Creating Learnable Moments: Systems Approaches Change
Agricultural Attitudes
Ray D. William, Larry Lev, and Fred Smith
Farmers in Oregon express anxiety and frustration regarding a multitude of "problems". Concerns range from global
free-trade or government regulations to perceptions about agricultural practices and the environment. Viewpoints and
suggested solutions vary widely among farmers and between agricultural and urban communities.
Listening to farmer's concerns combined with FSR/E experience led us toward system inquiry and action including a
statewide Extension initiative. The approach integrates people's values and concerns with facts and technologies
concerning complex and value-laden situations facing agriculture and/or society. "Learnable moments" are enhanced
with participatory action process during focus session or workshops. The process is learning-oriented and respects
divergent views. It moves toward common action using systemic thinking and systematic practices.
In a specific workshop, participants representing horticultural producers and processors expressed concerns about ag/
non-ag perceptions followed by economics, labor, environmental issues, regulation, and pests. Interests focused on
public perception of agriculture, food safety, and environmental concerns. Learnable moments occurred as the group
explored people's learning and behavioral preferences. Participants brainstormed more than 30 alternatives emphasizing
Poster presentation abstracts 79
education and the media. However, they selected and explored "mutual learning" with the public or concerned citizens
as the most viable means to improve the future. This represents a major change from the traditional focus on either
technical solutions or "educating them."
Participants advised OSU Extension faculty to conduct similar educational workshops and to explore common interests
involving contentious situations facing Oregonians. Examples of problems that could be addressed include redesigning
governments regulation, pesticides and food safety, water quality or use, or release of genetically engineered micro-
organisms. Experience gained involving various topics suggests the utility of the process and its applications.
Impacts of Agricultural Policies on Sustainable Farming Systems: The Case of
Abobo in Ethiopia
Mengistu Woube*
Research Objectives: The main objectives of this paper are to: 1) analyze the traditional land management techniques; 2)
describe the different farming systems in different agro-ecological zones; and 3) investigate the impacts of the 1975 and
1984 agricultural policies on the traditional farming systems in the Abobo district (Woreda), Gambela region, south-
western Ethiopia.
Methodology: This study is based on field work conducted in 1986, 1989 and 1991. The collected data is divided into
two main categories: 1) Data regarding physical environment includes soil and plant sampling, hydrological studies and
mapping. 2) Data concerning socio-economic environment are derived from responses to individual questionnaires.
These data are measured in relation to land-use types (mechanized and traditional farms, non-planned and planned
resettlement sites, forest grazing lands), types of technologies, land-use conflict and agricultural output.
Results: It is discovered that the agricultural polices have had adverse environmental consequences on the fragile
ecosystem in general, and the sustainable farming environment in particular. The main reason is that the government
polices ignore the indigenous form of environmental protection practices and the knowledge about how to cultivate and
plant seeds that can survive in a given environment.
Conclusions: This study concludes that in order to avert further environmental deterioration, restructuring of human and
agricultural settlement patterns, appropriate technology and land-use planning are urgently needed.
Poster presentation abstracts 80
Index of Authors
Abdoulaye, Tahirou
Abedin, M.Z.
Adesina, Akinwunmi
Ahmed, Mahfuzuddin
Ahmed, M.S.
Ahmed, Shafiuddin
Alessi, R.
Ali, Md Yusuf
Almy, Susan
Alonge, Adewale Johnson
Andrews, Mary
Angwenyi, Geoffrey
Arora, Kashmiri
Asaduzzaman, S.M.
Baker, Doyle
Balakrishnan, Revathi
Baltensweiler, Marco
Bershep, Alfred
Bhuktan, Jit P.
Boughton, Duncan
Burpee, Gaye
Caldwell, John
Cheema, Santokh
Choi, Min-Ho
Coppock, David
Cornelio, Rodolfo
Coughenour, Charles
Dang, Son Kim
Das, Chandra
Das, Sita
Dasgupta, Subash
De Zoysa, Mangala
Denning, Glenn L
Dharmasena, Karala Hinge
Doebel, Reinald
Doumbia, Sekou
46
63
24, 73
39
63
51
39
40
40
54
41
51
73
20
41, 74
18
57
61
42
30
74
Estabillo, Cornelia
Ezumah, Humphrey
F
Frio, Anita
Gajurel, Kishor
Garrity, Dennis
Ghidyal, Brijnandan
Ghimire, D.P.
Gohl, Bo
Gupta, M.V.
Gurung, Tek
Gworgwor, Nuhu
Halim, Abdul
Haq, Shamsul
Harrington, Larry
Heinrich, Geoffrey
Helmers, Glenn
Hildebrand, Peter
43
51
43
27, 43
Islam, Md Mafizul
Islam, Ashraful
Islam, Md Kamrul
69
27
29
28
67
20, 44
27
18
53, 69
Jabbar, M.A.
Jahan, Monira
Jha, Usha
Mtenga, Ngoyako
Mudhara, Maxwell
Muharminto, M.
Mullins, Gary
Kabore, Daniel
Kar, Pradip
Karki, Madhav
Karim, M.A.
Karim, Rezaul
KC, Sharan
Kelly, Terry
Khair, A.B.M. Abul
Khan, Md Mahbubur
Kokate, Kiran
Kshatri, Bhoi
Naegel, Ludwig
Naika, Venkata
Navascues, Belinda
Ndufa, James
Nicolas, Jose
Nieuwkoop, Martien
Niu, Shuwen
Nkonya, E.M.
Nuri, Salima Jahan
Nyirahabimana, Pelagie
Ogunfiditimi, G.
Lakra, Valeria
Lamboll, Richard
Lev, Larry
Li, Shuji
Litsinger, James
Lowenberg-Deboer, James
Lynam, Timothy
Macansantos, Rosello
Mallick, R.N.
Martin, Robert
Maurya, D.M.
Meppe, Francois
Miah, M.A. Hamid
Minde, Isaac
Modiakgotla, E.
Mollel, N.M.
Momin, M.A.
Mondal, Nur
Moore, Keith
Moris, J.R.
Moussie, Menweyellet
Pandy, Ram
Paul, Dulal
Perrier, G.K.
Portice, George
Posner, Joshua
Poubom, Christine-Fri
Poudel, Baby
Prasad, Satish
Prasad, Vishnubhotla
Q
Quazi, Mesbahul
Quiroz, Consuelo
R
Rajasekaran, B.
Rasmussen, G.A.
Rath, Sabyasachi
Ravnborg, Helle Munk
76
27, 76
54
15
47
28, 76
77
28
59
64
63
47
42
69
67
59, 60
42
71
21
60
60
16, 68
78
Razzaque, Abdur Md
Roy, Indrajit
Saha, Madhury R.
Sanhueza, Hugo
Seiter, Stefan
Shah, Wajed
Sharma, R.B.
Shrestha, Meenu
Shrestha, Rabindra
Shumba, Enos
Siddaramaiah, Bettadahalli
Siddiqui, Md Mainur
Singal, Sat
Singh, R.P.
Singh, K.P.
Singh, Ram
Singh, V. Pal
Singh, Om
Smith, Fred
Suminguit, Vellorimo
Susila, Wayan
Taonda, Jean Baptiste
Teme, Bino
Temu, Honest
Thakur, Ramagya
Thorpe, William
Timsina, Dibya
Tirkey, Ms Krushdhari
Tulachan, Pradeep
U
Uwera, Marie Jeanne
V
Vogel, Wolfgang
Wijeratne, Mahinda
William, Ray D.
Woube, Mengistu
Y
Yoc Yool, Felisa
Z
Zhang, Xiaohu
Zinnah, Moses M.
64
64
49
18, 64
72
19
19
25
56
50
73
46
17
50
50
50
79
42
47
68
30
78
56, 65
48
17, 19
16, 68
79
23
49, 79
80
Sponsored by AFSR/E
Association for Farming Systems Research/Extension
The 12th Annual
Farming Systems Symposium
Pre-registration packet
September 13 18, 1992
Michigan State University
Holiday Inn University Place
East Lansing
| igan USA
An international society organized to promote the development of research
and extension approaches which comprehend whole farms as systems.
11111111 11111111 iiiilllllllllllllllllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlllI
AFSR/E Symposium
^^^^^^^^PBaelimn~i~Cary Progra
Saturday, September 12
Registration for the Symposium-The Terrace*
Sunday, September 13
AFSR/E Officers and Board Members Meeting-The Capitol Room
Sustainable Agriculture Tours-The MSU campus
Registration for the Symposium-The Terrace
Welcome Reception-University Ballroom
11 am -3 pm
12:30 3:30 pm
3:30 7:30 pm
7 9 pm
Monday, September 14
Continental Breakfast-The Terrace
Registration for the Symposium-The Terrace
Opening Session and Welcome to MSU-University Ballroom
Keynote Speaker-University Ballroom
Session 1: Historical Foundations-University Ballroom
Regional roots and impact of FSR/E
Evolution and impact of global synthesis and networking
Questions and discussion, followed by brief synthesis
Open Lunch
Session 2: Strategic Initiatives in Roles for
FSR/E: On-Farm Methods-University Ballroom
Field methods for analysis by farmers
Target groups
7:15 8 am
7:30 10 am
8:30 9 am
9 9:30 am
10 12 noon
12 1:30 pm
1:30 3 pm
*Registration and meeting rooms are at the Holiday Inn University Place
4 -7pm
On-farm experimentation for sustainability
Questions and discussion
Session 3: Strategic Initiatives in Roles for
FSR/E: Institutional Linkages-University Ballroom
Linkages and impact: Station research
Linkages and impact: Public and private extension
Linkages and impact: Policy
New ideas in institutional linkages
Questions and discussion
Open Dinner
Graduate Students Program-University Ballroom, Salon A
Meeting for Moderators/Facilitators-The Capitol Room
Regional Meetings-University Ballroom, Salons B, C, and D
3:30 5:30 pm
5:30 7 pm
7:30 9 pm
7:30 8:30 pm
8 10pm
Tuesday, September 15
Continental Breakfast-The Terrace
Session 4: Concurrent Sessions:
Methods-University Ballroom, Salons A, B, C and D
Diagnosis and farmer participation
Gender analysis
On-farm experimentation
Systems perspectives in sustainable development
Registration for the Symposium-The Terrace
Session 5: Concurrent Sessions:
Institutions-University Ballroom, Salons A, B and C
Linkages and impact: Station research
Linkages and impact: Public and private extension
Linkages and impact: Policy
Open Lunch
7:15 -8 am
8 10:00 am
9:30 12 noon
10 12 noon
12 1:30 pm
Preliminary program-2
Session 6: Concurrent Sessions
Poster Sessions-2ndfloor
Training Tools Bazaar-Campus Room, main floor
Group Dinner-University Ballroom
Guest Speaker
Special Topics and Meetings
1:30 5:30 pm
6:30 8 pm
8 10pm
Wednesday, September 16
Continental Breakfast-The Terrace
Session 7: Strategic Directions: Synthesis-University Ballroom
Panel of three presentations summarizing Tuesday sessions
Session 8: Strategic Directions: Working Group
Discussions-University Ballroom, Salons A, B, C and D
Group Luncheon-Campus Room, main floor
Facilitators sit at tables with group rapporteurs
Session 9: Reports from Working Groups-University Ballroom
Questions for facilitators (from the morning sessions)
Session 10: Information Exchange and Networking:
AFSR/E Today-University Ballroom
Status and impact of AFSR/E
Membership and financial status of AFSR/E
Networking-publications
Networking-cross-regional linkages
Invitation from European regional group
Open Dinner
AFSR/E Symposium Party-University Ballroom
Thursday, September 17
Continental Breakfast-The Terrace
7:15 8 am
8- 10 am
10:30 12 noon
12 1:30 pm
1:30 3 pm
3:30 5:30 pm
5:30 8:30 pm
8:30 12 midnight
7:15 8 am
Preliminary program-3
Session 11: Information Exchange and Networking:
Regional Initiatives-University Ballroom
5 invited presentations by regional representatives
Session 12: Information Exchange and Networking:
Regional Needs and Proposals
for Global Linkage-University Ballroom, Salons A, B C and D
4 6 concurrent discussion group meetings
Open Lunch
Session 13: Continuation of Session 12
-University Ballroom, Salons A, B C and D
Session 14: Working Group Synthesis-University Ballroom
Facilitators and 4 table rapporteurs of each group
Open Dinner
Facilitators and AFSR/E Board Member Dinner-The Capitol Room
Working dinner and meeting to plan for Session 15
Group Meetings-The Campus Room
Space available for follow-up meetings for regional groups, etc.
8- 10 am
10:30- 12 am
12 1:30 pm
1:30 3 pm
3:30 5 pm
5:30 7 pm
6 10pm
7:30 10 pm
Friday, September 18
Continental Breakfast-The Terrace
Session 15: Strategy for Global Linkage:
A Proposition for the Future-University Ballroom
Discussion
Panel to discuss proposition developed at the Thursday facilitators
and Board members' meeting
Synthesis and conclusions
Session 16: Strategy for Global Linkage:
General Discussion-University Ballroom
Discussion
Perspectives for the Future: Closing statements
AFSR/E Board Lunch and Meeting-The Capitol Room
7:15 8 am
8- 10 am
10:30 12 noon
1 -4pm
Preliminary program-4
AFSR/E Symposium Information
The Association for Farming Systems
Research/Extension is pleased to sponsor
The 12th Annual Farming Systems Symposium,
September 13-18, 1992 at the Holiday Inn
University Place in East Lansing, Michigan.
Michigan State University's Institute of
International Agriculture will host the
symposium.
Early Registration-See the AFSR/E
symposium registration form included in this
packet for the fee you need to remit. Your check
or money order must be US $ drawn on
a US bank and payable to Michigan State
University. Fill out (please print), clip, and
return the form with the proper remittance
to the following address:
The 12th Annual Farming
Systems Symposium
Engineering Lifelong Education
Michigan State University
173 Engineering Building
East Lansing, MI 48824-1226, USA
The registration fee provides one symposium
program booklet, one Working Papers Set,
admission to a welcome reception and a dance,
selected meals and social functions, daily
continental breakfasts, refreshments and snacks,
as well as admission to all symposium events.
The registration fee does not include any pre-
or post-workshops or AFSR/E membership.
The registration form must be received
by August 15, 1992 to receive the early
registration fee.
The Refund Policy is to notify the symposium
registration office by September 1, 1992 if you
are unable to attend the symposium (fax: 517-
353-3900). A refund of 80% of the payment
submitted for all symposium activities will
be returned to you (please give your mailing
address).
AFSR/E Membership Fees-AFSR/E
members pay a reduced symposium registration
fee. The Association encourages you to become
an AFSR/E member or to renew your annual
membership. The membership fee may be
included with your symposium registration fee
in one check made out to Michigan State
University (US $ drawn on a US bank). For
correct processing of your check, please circle
the type of membership you are paying on the
registration form and membership form. Credit
cards are not accepted for registration or
membership fees.
Travel-Information on flying into the
Lansing Capital City Airport is included.
Courtesy vans are provided by all symposium
hotels except Butterfield Hall to drive you to
and from the airport. Taxi service is also
available. There is a City of East Lansing pay
parking lot under the Holiday Inn University
Place if you plan to drive and park for the day.
Symposium information-5
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