Summary : The myth of farmer conservatism blinds many development practitioners from recognizing that the greatest asset they have in technology development and promotion is the very farmers whose behavior they hope to change. Examples will be shared of farmer-generated technologies that make more economic and social sense than outside alternatives. Programming implications include empowering farmers to train their peers, embracing diversity rather than simplistic solutions, and investing long-term in building local capacity.
Presenter : Neil Rowe Miller, Agriculture and Livelihoods Technical Advisor, Eastern Africa