Technology transfer in small‐scale dryland crop production: Future challenges

Abstract

The study focuses on maize technology transfer in a typical homeland maize‐growing area. Two thirds of maize growers were women. Thirty per cent of producers were over 60 years of age, 20 per cent were illiterate and 50‐60 per cent were living in varying states of poverty. There was insufficient contact and intensity of contact with all sources of farming information. The ‘trickle down’ process from progressive to less progressive farmers has been unsuccessful.

Less than half of the farmers were implementing practices according to proven recommendations. This was related to a lack of knowledge. Most farmers did not realise that all practices were interrelated, resulting in below optimum yields.

Innovativeness was explained by greater farming resources, farming knowledge, contact with information sources and level of education, while yield per ha was also explained by greater farming resources, as well as the presence of the male head of household and contact with extension workers.

Farming populations are not homogeneous relative to farming practices and technology has been developed to suit the more progressive farmers. Future technology transfer strategies should be based on a targeted approach to reach both progressive and low‐access and resource‐poor farmers.

Notes

Professor and Head, Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, University of Fort Hare, Alice.

The author gratefully acknowledges the work and assistance of S N Mampofo and H B Dlulane, both Honours graduates of the University of Fort Hare, who acted as enumerators and field observers in this study.