There is great untapped potential for farm mechanization to support rural development initiatives in low- and middle-income countries. As technology transfer of large machinery from high-income countries was ineffective during the 1980s and 90s, mechanization options were developed appropriate to resource poor farmers cultivating small and scattered plots. More recently, projects that aim to increase the adoption of farm machinery have tended to target service providers rather than individual farmers.
On-farm agricultural innovation through incorporation of new technologies and practices requires access to resources such as knowledge, financial resources, training, and even emotional support, all of which require the support of different actors such as peers, advisors, and researchers. The literature has explored the support networks that farmers use and the overall importance ranking of different support actors, but it has not looked in detail at how these networks may differ for different farmers.
The paper is structured as follows. First, definitions and conceptualisations of trust are considered, before moving on review the literature on trust in rural network models of business support. Next, the empirical study design is described, which consisted of case studies of business advice programmes offered to artisanal food enterprises in Northern Ireland and displaying varying degrees of trust. The results of the empirical study are reported and then discussed, with reflections on how trust evolved in each case, and the ways in which trust was lost
In recent years, the agricultural industry has been experiencing an ever-increasing application of information and communication technologies globally. This new revolution has been touted to impact efficiency and productivity in the agricultural extension services within the agriculture sector. Notwithstanding this, empirical research need to be carried out amongst its users in the sector to ascertain these assertions.
Given the diversity and context-specificity of innovation systems approaches, in March 2007 the World Bank organized a workshop in which about 80 experts (representing donor agencies, development and related agencies, academia, and the World Bank) took stock of recent experiences with innovation systems in agriculture and reconsidered strategies for their future development. This paper summarizes the workshop findings and uses them to develop and discuss key issues in applying the innovation systems concept. The workshop’s recommendations, including next steps for the wider
Resulta esencial calibrar las máquinas con el fin de lograr densidades de siembra y tasas de fertilización óptimas. Los errores en la calibración, incluso los más leves, pueden provocar grandes diferencias en el campo. Con la calibración se asegura que no se aplique demasiada semilla o fertilizante (con lo cual se ahorra dinero y se protege el medio ambiente), pero tampoco cantidades insuficientes, lo cual puede producir una disminución en el rendimiento.
Con base en las limitaciones analizadas en el extensionismo tradicional, este documento propone un Sistema Integral de Organizadores Comunitarios (SICOMUN) en el que los Organizadores sean seleccionados por procedimientos meritocráticos, se encuentren vinculados a un proceso de capacitación permanente que les permita escalar en posiciones e incentivos a la manera del Servicio Nacional de Investigación y sean apoyados por un arreglo institucional de acompañamiento.
Se analizan los efectos de las interacciones, directas e indirectas, entre agricultores y otros actores relevantes en el intercambio de información y conocimiento para la innovación agrícola. Los datos se obtuvieron al preguntar a 120 agricultores «¿de quién aprende y/o a quién recurre para obtener información o conocimiento de cuestiones técnicas y productivas en torno a su unidad de producción?». Se emplean indicadores del análisis de redes sociales para proponer lineamientos que permitan catalizar la innovación agrícola.
In this paper, is introduced an integrated supply chain planning tool for fresh vegetables that takes into consideration the characteristics and resources of three specific states in Mexico, to make recommendations in terms of the crops to be planted, the timing of planting and harvesting, and what markets to target such that the farmers’ profits are maximized. Also relevant is the selection of the appropriate agriculture technology level (e.g. open field, shade structures, or greenhouse) within each region analyzed.
This study aims to describe and characterize the state of understanding about RSBs, and to fill knowledge gaps about their role and potential impact. The article will explore the historic and possible future trajectories of the RSBs at the country- and global-levels, by responding to three closely-related research questions: 1. What are the governance structures of the roundtables for sustainable beef? 2. What actions have been taken by, or are planned or likely to be taken by, the roundtables for sustainable beef, that are intended to enhance the sustainability of beef supply chains? 3.