Agricultural Technology Transfer Preferences of Smallholder Farmers in Tunisia’s Arid Regions

Abstract

The objective of this research study was to assess the sources of information on two improved agricultural and livestock technologies (barley variety and feed blocks) as well as the efficacy of numerous agricultural technology diffusion means introduced in the livestock–barley system in semi-arid Tunisia. The research used primary data collected from 671 smallholder farmers. A descriptive statistical analysis was conducted, and Kendall’s W-test and the chi-squared distribution test were deployed to categorize and evaluate the efficacy of the different methods of technology diffusion used by the Tunisian extension system. To address farmers’ perceived opinions and classify the changes from the use of the improved technologies, a qualitative approach based on the Stapel scale was used. Farmer training, demonstration, and farmer-to-farmer interactions were perceived as the most effective agricultural extension methods. The access to technology, know-how, adoption cost of that technology, and labor intensity for adoption influenced its adoption level. Farmers’ opinions about the changes resulting from the adoption of both technologies revealed that yield and resistance to drought were the most important impacts of the two technologies. The study recommends empowering the national extension system through both conventional and non-conventional technologies (ICT, video, mobile phones, etc.), given the cost-effectiveness and their impact on the farmers’ adoption decisions.

In pursuit of a better world: crop improvement and the CGIAR

“…Robust methodologies on how to standardize the PPB and PVS approaches for the myriad social and physical environments occupied by smallholder farmers are just emerging (e.g. Bentley, 1994 ; van de Fliert et al , 2002 ; Dhehibi et al , 2020 ). These methodologies are especially pertinent with respect to PPB, where the cost/benefit of breeding for the myriad distinct conditions of smallholder farmers has to be carefully weighted.…”

Abiotic Stress Tolerance-Progress and Pathways of Sustainable Rice Production

“…In these demonstrations, the farmers can witness the outcome but cannot assess the gains. Assessing gain needs to set up a control plot planted with the next best option available with the same farmer-determined farming practices [5,150].…”

“…Head-to-head trials improve farmer's knowledge in the self-supervised plots. Large number of such trials for STRVs are being laid in farmers' fields that have revealed promising results against the counterfactuals in Eastern India [12,150]. These trials are being carried out through a network of KVKs apart from NGOs who have a strong presence in remote areas where extension services are not adequate.…”

Tapping the Economic Potential of Chickpea in Sub-Saharan Africa

“…The clientele's involvement in problem definition and solving could be addressed through improved market segmentation and the product development process of the chickpea improvement. There are several extension service approaches [71], but pluralistic and participatory approaches including farmer training, agricultural technology demonstrations, field days, and farmer-to-farmer interactions are generally considered effective agricultural extension methods [71,105,106]. In recent years, information and communication technologies (ICTs) have been promoted as a promising way for agricultural extension provision in smallholder production systems in developing countries [107].…”