Willem Janssen

The influence of technology characteristics on the rate and speed of adoption

This paper analyses the impact of technology characteristics on the rate and speed of adoption. In a case study of the Meru district in Kenya, 17 dairy technologies are analyzed with respect to the influence of relative complexity, relative risk and relative investment characteristics on adoption. Technology characteristics were measured by a scoring approach which involves assessments made by extension workers working in the study area. The study found that the past process of adoption and diffusion was significantly influenced by the characteristics mentioned above. Considering the speed to completed adoption, the influence of relative investment was smaller while relative complexity and relative risk showed significance. The strong influence of relative complexity and relative risk of the technologies on the adoption can be explained by the characteristics of farmers and the farming circumstances. Meru farmers are poorly educated and face shortage oflabor making them hesitant to adopt complex technologies. Moreover, the risk of production is high leading farmers to adopt new technologies that reduce risk relative to the traditional technologies. Knowing this, planners in research and extension should advise the development of risk-reducing technologies with a low complexity as compared to the technologies that should be replaced.

Multidisciplinary research for natural resource management: Conceptual and practical implications

Abstract Multidisciplinary research is essential for addressing many of the newly arising issues in natural resource management. However, what multidisciplinary research means and how it can be put into practice is not always clear. This paper discusses definitions and concepts of multidisciplinary research and its relevance for natural resource management, and it explains why disciplines need to be integrated in multidisciplinary research programs and to what extent they can be integrated. It suggests ways of analyzing the complexity of multidisciplinary research programs and refers to some of the tools (including systems theory) that can be used to facilitate integration. The paper considers ways of improving participation and management of multidisciplinary teams, and draws conclusions on the role and potential of multidisciplinary research.

Modernization of a peasant crop in Colombia: Evidence and implications

The survival of the small-farm sector in the process of agricultural modernization in Latin America has been a concern for many authors and institutions. It is generally believed that the small-farm sector is bypassed in the process of agricultural development. The authors analyze modernization of bean; maize cropping systems in Southern Colombia. Prices, production practices and profitability are compared for 1975 and 1989. By means of a production function, the effects of allocative efficiency, technical efficiency and technical change on productivity and profitability are analyzed. The observed changes reflect very well the price trends over the period. Between 1975 and 1989, total factor productivity increased by 50%. Bean/ maize producers almost doubled returns to land and labor. Increased technical efficiency had most effect on profitability, followed by technical change. Allocative efficiency had more impact on yields than on profitability because it was associated with high input costs. Considerable opportunities for further productivity increases were identified. Conclusions on the nature of the modernization process are drawn. Implications for agricultural policy, research and the role of the small farm in agricultural development are derived.

Economic trends in Latin America: Roles for agriculture and new technology

Abstract The economic trends of Latin America and the Caribbean are assessed in the framework of the debt crisis of the 1980s and the subsequent changing attitudes to economic policy. Consequences for overall economic and agricultural development strategies in the next decade are outlined. Long-term expectations for the agricultural sector are then discussed as regards international labour distribution, alternative sources of domestic growth and interaction with the industrial and service sectors. Implications for the type of agricultural technology that should be generated are discussed.

Economic and agricultural development in West Asia and North Africa: The need for agricultural research

Abstract This paper analyses the role of agriculture in the economic development of West Asia and North Africa, with special reference to the interactions between oil wealth, population growth, agricultural development and the need for agricultural research. Since the 1960s agricultural supply lagged behind demand, which grew rapidly as a result of population increases and rising incomes. Following the oil recession of the 1980s it was felt that the development of the agricultural sector should be less dependent on other sectors, particularly oil. The possible roles of agriculture in the regions future economic development are outlined, with the implications for agricultural research. Special attention is given to the natural resource constraints affecting the regions agriculture (particularly water), and to the issues influencing the identification of research priorities.

Commodity research programs from the demand side

Abstract Agricultural research has traditionally focused on production issues and the economic discipline supported this research by studying the production process and its conditions. The authors argue that the study of marketing and demand issues usefully complements production research. This is because, apart from the producer, the consumer is also a judge of new technology; and because constraints to improved or increased utilization might be identified, which carry a higher potential for successful research than production constraints. Demand studies for orientating agricultural research show conceptual symmetry with production studies but their inclusion allows for better judgement on the potential of alternative research ventures and for improved targeting of agricultural research objectives, such as equity, rural income and price stability. Demand analysis should be consistent with the state of maturity of the commodity research program. Demand studies can be organized around the themes of research strategies, technology design and technology transfer. This is afterwards illustrated with the approaches taken by CIATs cassava and bean program, showing that the exact subjects of study are rather commodity specific.

Ex ante analysis of new technology: A comparison of cassava for the feed and fresh markets in Colombia

Abstract This paper estimates the expected economic benefits of investment in two alternative research programmes to improve yields of cassava in Colombia. The benefits from an industrial cassava variety for the animal feed market are compared with those from a higher quality cassava suitable for the fresh food market. A linear programming least-cost feed mix model is used to calculate the cost reduction is poultry feed due to new cassava technology. The impact of this cost reduction is traced through single equation models of poultry supply and demand in order to estimate social benefits in an ex ante consumer surplus framework. Costs of the alternative research programmes are projected and internal rates of return are calculated.