Forage technology adoption: Linking on-station research with participatory methods

Improved forages play an important role in sustaining the livelihoods of small- and medium-scale farmers in the tropics, mainly as a result of their positive effects on livestock production and contribution to economic and environmental sustainability. However, in many regions of the tropics, the po...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Peters, Michael, Lascano Aguilar, Carlos Eduardo
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: 2003
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/42871
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author Peters, Michael
Lascano Aguilar, Carlos Eduardo
author_browse Lascano Aguilar, Carlos Eduardo
Peters, Michael
author_facet Peters, Michael
Lascano Aguilar, Carlos Eduardo
author_sort Peters, Michael
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Improved forages play an important role in sustaining the livelihoods of small- and medium-scale farmers in the tropics, mainly as a result of their positive effects on livestock production and contribution to economic and environmental sustainability. However, in many regions of the tropics, the potential of forages for sustainable development is largely untapped and adoption of forage legumes in particular has so far been limited. In general, compared with forage legumes, grasses are often better known as cultivated species by farmers, are more resilient and have broad environmental adaptation. Currently, farmers have limited understanding of the benefits of leguminous species that can be used on their farms. This paper explores reasons for the lack of wider adoption of improved forages and suggests pathways and strategies to meet the needs of smallholder farmers more effectively. Close linkages between farmers, researchers and extension workers are essential for both the development and diffusion of improved multipurpose grass and legume species. In this context, the importance of developing functional seed-delivery systems is emphasised. However, continuous development of forage germplasm to respond to existing and evolving constraints and changing demands and opportunities is mandatory to ensure wide adoption of improved forages by smallholder farmers.
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spelling CGSpace428712021-10-08T18:28:56Z Forage technology adoption: Linking on-station research with participatory methods Peters, Michael Lascano Aguilar, Carlos Eduardo feed crops feed grasses feed legumes germplasm innovation adoption farmers plantas forrajeras gramíneas forrajeras leguminosas forrajeras germoplasma adopción de innovaciones agricultores Improved forages play an important role in sustaining the livelihoods of small- and medium-scale farmers in the tropics, mainly as a result of their positive effects on livestock production and contribution to economic and environmental sustainability. However, in many regions of the tropics, the potential of forages for sustainable development is largely untapped and adoption of forage legumes in particular has so far been limited. In general, compared with forage legumes, grasses are often better known as cultivated species by farmers, are more resilient and have broad environmental adaptation. Currently, farmers have limited understanding of the benefits of leguminous species that can be used on their farms. This paper explores reasons for the lack of wider adoption of improved forages and suggests pathways and strategies to meet the needs of smallholder farmers more effectively. Close linkages between farmers, researchers and extension workers are essential for both the development and diffusion of improved multipurpose grass and legume species. In this context, the importance of developing functional seed-delivery systems is emphasised. However, continuous development of forage germplasm to respond to existing and evolving constraints and changing demands and opportunities is mandatory to ensure wide adoption of improved forages by smallholder farmers. 2003 2014-09-24T07:58:42Z 2014-09-24T07:58:42Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/42871 en Open Access
spellingShingle feed crops
feed grasses
feed legumes
germplasm
innovation adoption
farmers
plantas forrajeras
gramíneas forrajeras
leguminosas forrajeras
germoplasma
adopción de innovaciones
agricultores
Peters, Michael
Lascano Aguilar, Carlos Eduardo
Forage technology adoption: Linking on-station research with participatory methods
title Forage technology adoption: Linking on-station research with participatory methods
title_full Forage technology adoption: Linking on-station research with participatory methods
title_fullStr Forage technology adoption: Linking on-station research with participatory methods
title_full_unstemmed Forage technology adoption: Linking on-station research with participatory methods
title_short Forage technology adoption: Linking on-station research with participatory methods
title_sort forage technology adoption linking on station research with participatory methods
topic feed crops
feed grasses
feed legumes
germplasm
innovation adoption
farmers
plantas forrajeras
gramíneas forrajeras
leguminosas forrajeras
germoplasma
adopción de innovaciones
agricultores
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/42871
work_keys_str_mv AT petersmichael foragetechnologyadoptionlinkingonstationresearchwithparticipatorymethods
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