Farming Systems Adaptive Research: Achievements and Prospects in Southern Africa

• Published in: Experimental agriculture 1991-04, Vol.27 (2), p.115-125
• Main Authors: Low, Allan, Waddington, S. R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural and farming systems; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agroecology. Agricultural and farming systems. Agricultural development. Rural area planning. Landscaping; General agronomy. Plant production; Generalities. Agricultural and farming systems. Agricultural development
• ISSN: 0014-4797; 1469-4441
• DOI: 10.1017/S0014479700018779

Farming Systems Adaptive Research (FSAR) has contributed much to the understanding of maize production constraints on smallholder farms in southern Africa in the last six to eight years. But its production impact has been constrained by the often inappropriate technology available to FSAR from component research and the ineffective use of its results by extension staff. However, FSAR has demonstrated the utility of a problem (client) orientated approach to technology development, which is now being taken up by some maize commodity research and extension programmes, though effective linkages have not usually been developed. Nevertheless, experience in southern Africa suggests that the FSAR approach can provide a framework for developing more effective integration between key groups involved in technology generation, dissemination and support.