Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
partners. Major advantages from listening to farmers
(Devendra, 2006 ) include:
They know the biophysical environment.
They understand prevailing farming systems.
They have full understanding of the major constraints
and problems.
Research and development issues are identifi ed.
Farming System Research owes its origin to cropping
systems research and methodologies that were developed
in Asia and Latin America. The key features of FSR are:
It seeks to provide a clear understanding of the farming
systems and practices.
It is needs based.
It has systematic methodology.
It is multidisciplinary.
It involves the participation of farmers, researchers,
community, extension agents, and development agents.
It is on - farm.
It identifi es farmers as partners.
It promotes effi ciency in NRM.
It enables defi nition of an agenda for promoting devel-
opment and progress.
They
are
the
target
benefi ciaries of improved
technologies.
They have deep knowledge of local customs and indig-
enous and traditional systems.
Farmers are the agents of change and promotion of wide
adoption.
They have all the local contacts.
They know current patterns of marketing.
Farmers
are
the
target
benefi ciaries of sustainable
The methodology for FSR follows several distinct steps,
including:
livelihoods.
This enables understanding of farmers ' perceptions and
aspirations about household stability, improved liveli-
hoods, and a better tomorrow.
1. Site selection
2. Site description and characterization (diagnosis)
3. Planning of on - farm research
4. On - farm testing and validation of alternatives
5. Diffusion of results
6. Impact assessment
Formulation of Participatory Research and
Development Programs
Farming systems in regions throughout the world are char-
acterized by a diversity of crops and animals, traditional
methods of farming, various contributions of animals, and
multiple crop-animal interactions. The numerous problems
of farmers present complex issues that cannot be resolved
easily. Farming System Research is important to address
the needs of farmers.
Figure 1.6 illustrates the steps involved in Farming
System Research. Due to the multidisciplinary nature of
the activities, other methodologies also are involved.
Table 1.12 provides an example of constraint analysis.
For convenience, constraints are identifi ed under the
subheadings of environment, socioeconomics, farming
Existing Information
(Household Surveys
etc.)
Existing Information
(Household Surveys
etc.)
Area & Target
Area & Target
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
PRA
PRA
Design
(Investigations)
Design
(Investigations)
Investigations
Investigations
Investigations
PRA
Interventions
Investigations
PRA
Interventions
On-farm Studies
On-farm Studies
Technology
Delivery
Technology
Delivery
PRA
PRA
Impacts
Impacts
PRA: Participatory Rural Appraisal
EOS: Economic Opportunity Survey
Figure 1.6
Methodology for
farming systems research.
PB: Partial Budgeting
LIMA: Livestock Information Management Application
