Uptake of Improved Technologies in the Semi-arid Tropics of West Africa: Why is Agricultural Transformation Lagging Behind?

During the last 3 decades, donors and governments have invested in the development and dissemination of new technologies in the semi-arid tropics of West Africa. Though a wide range of improved technologies has been developed, adoption remains low without a significant impact on crop productivity, rural income and poverty. Agricultural transformation as occurred in East Asia has not yet occurred in the semi-arid tropics of West Africa. This paper uses data from a regional survey of rural households in 3 countries in West Africa (Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger) to identify the determinants of uptake of improved technologies. Limited productivity gain is found to be a major constraint to the uptake of technologies. In addition, poorly functioning institutions, lack of information or poor exposure of farmers to agricultural innovations, and poor functioning or missing markets have also hindered the uptake of many new technologies

Empowerment through technology: Gender dimensions of social capital build-up in Maharashtra, India

This paper explores how and to what extent women and men have benefited from the build-up of social capital in technology uptake, and the role of women in this process. Using a case study on Groundnut Production Technology (GPT) in Maharashtra, India, a systematic documentation of the process by which farmers – both men and women - as well as the whole community became empowered through the build-up of social capital is presented. The focus of the paper is on collective action as a mechanism to stimulate gender-equitable change processes. Our evidence suggests that the technology uptake process was enhanced with the build up of social capital, whereby men and women from all class and caste groups came together for improving their livelihoods. Collective action was enhanced with the increased involvement and participation of women. Strong kinship ties were developed among diverse classes all over the village including landless tribal women, who formed the major labor force for this technology. The paper concludes that social networks played a crucial mediating role in the process of technology uptake. The build-up of social capital played an important role in influencing impacts from the technology because of the ways in which social networks and social relationships facilitated technology dissemination. Gender relations played a significant role in mediating the translation of economic benefits into well being of the individual, the family and community. Finally, it is suggested that further insights into the role of social networks and power relations in the village may be examined in greater detail by establishing the village network architecture, especially marginalized groups

Benefits from Improved Soil-Water-Nutrient Management Research: The Case of Groundnut Production Technology

Adoption assessment and quantification of returns to investment of soil-water-nutrient management research outputs received little attention in the literature. This paper attempted to estimate the adoption and measure impact of the research information related to soil-water-nutrient management. A specific case, the Groundnut Production Technology, was selected. The study finds that farmers adopt concept and modify the package as per their needs, convenience and resource endowments. It was found that there was differential adoption of various components of the Groundnut Production Technology package. The adoption of various components related to nutrient management was ranging from 10% for ferrous sulphate, to 35% gypsum, and 50% single super phosphate. Adoption of soil management component was in about 29% groundnut area. Water management through sprinkler irrigation was adopted in about 11% area. Farm-level benefits were realized in terms of yield gains, higher income, better output prices, efficient utilization of inputs, etc. The benefits were quite higher than t.he research and packaging cost of the Groundnut Production Technology. Investment on extension of the technology to cover more area may be very rewarding

Sustainability Dimension in the Adoption of Short Duration Pigeonpeas in Non-legumes-based Cropping Systems

This paper establishes the linkage of short duration pigeonpea adoption to farmers' perceptions on the issue of sustainability. Results from a formal on-farm survey and rapid rural appraisals conducted in a drought prone area in Central India, confirm that: a) farmers have a high degree of awareness regarding the effects of intensive cultivation of cash crops such as sugarcane or cotton in irrigated tracts - in terms of reduced yields and increasing use of inputs; b) appropriate crop/varietal adoption and management practices are consciously taken to maintain productivity levels in the context of existing and desired cropping systems; and c) farmers increase or maintain soil fertility by rotation with nitrogen fixing legumes and alternate pigeonpea in different plots each year. Farmers are aware of the nodulation capacity of legumes such as pigeonpea. For these reasons, short duration pigeonpea is chosen as most appropriate for profitable double cropping in deep black soils. The crop is also grown as a boundary crop to prevent soil erosion