Abstract:
The non-adoption of many agricultural technologies by resource poor farmers
through the conventional research and extension approach has brought shift of
emphasis towards participatory approaches. The problem of conventional research
and extension has been its linear top-down approach of generating and
transferring technology with little or no involvement of farmers and without
proper consideration of their priorities and capacities. Though rural people live in
complex, diverse and risk prone areas they have an intimate knowledge of their
environments. Therefore, effective farmer participation is essential for the
development of site specific technologies that address farmers felt needs.
Participatory approach makes use of visualization, interviewing and group work
methods to understand local realities and complexities. In participatory approach
emphasis will shift from providing knowledge and technology to joint
development and exchange of knowledge and technology. However, laboratory
and on-station scientific work must continue to contribute towards basic
agricultural sciences.
