Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The transfer of agricultural technology and the development of small-scale farming in rural Africa: Case studies from Ghana, Sudan, Uganda, Zambia and South Africa

  • Published:
GeoJournal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In many developing countries, research institutions or centres have been established to develop and/or adapt technologies that would help agricultural development. This is particularly true in Africa where national efforts have been supplemented with international research institutes. Although some modest progress has been achieved in improving agricultural technology, on the whole, the improvement record is not quite encouraging among the small-scale farmers. In many areas, either there are no improved technologies, or where they exist, are unacceptable by farmers. However, where useful technologies exist, their spread has been very limited and where they have been adapted, the benefits only accrue to a small segment of the community. The logical question posed is: why and how do we find ourselves in the current situation?

This paper considers the view that to understand fully why the available technologies have remained largely at the research centres, there is need to examine the whole process of research, development, dissemination and utilization of agricultural technology. It is significant to investigate the structural constraints and prospects under which those involved in the process work, their motivations and the interactions between different groups. The traditional ‘top-down’ of development strategy should be supplemented with farmers' indigenous knowledge, and programmes encouraging transfer of agricultural technology should include institutional support. Only by the identification of farmers' environmental and resource utilisation, preferences, socio-economic circumstances and constraints can a development programme of optimum meaning to farmers be devised and implemented with success.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abraham, A. 1977: ‘The Implementation of a Soil Conservation Programme in Transkei and the Anticipated Outcomes’, Unpublished Honours Research Paper, University of Transkei.

  • Agarwal, B. 1985: ‘Women and Technological Change in Agriculture: The Asian and African Experience’, in Ahmed, I. (Ed), Technology and Rural Women, George Allen and Unwin, pp. 20–27.

  • Arntzen, J.W. 1989: ‘Environmental Pressure and Adaptation in Rural Botswana’, Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, Vrije Universiteit te Amsterdam.

  • Arntzen, J.W. 1990: ‘Economic Policies and Rangeland Degradation in Botswana’. Journal of International Development 2: 471–99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ascroft, J.M., Roling, N., Kariuki, J. and Chege, F. 1973: ‘Extension and the Forgotten Farmer: First Report of a Field Experiment’. Bulletin van de Afdelingen Sociale Wetenschappen 37: 48–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Atta-Krah, A.N. and Francis, P.A. 1986: ‘The Role of On-Farm Trials in the Evaluation of Composite Technologies: The case of Alley-farming in Southern Nigeria’. Agricultural Systems 23: 133–152.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beinart, W. 1982: ‘The Political Economy of Pondoland’, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Belshaw, D.G.R. 1979: ‘Taking Indigenous Technology Seriously: The Case of Intercropping Techniques in East Africa’. IDS Bulletin 10: 24–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bembridge, T.J. 1987: ‘Crop Farming System Constraints in Transkei: Implications for Research and Extension’. Development Southern Africa 4: 67–89.

    Google Scholar 

  • Binns, T. 1994: ‘Tropical Africa’, Routledge, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blackie, M.J. 1989: ‘International Science and the Research Needs of Agriculturally-Dependent Communities in Southern Africa’. Agricultural Systems 1: 169–183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Briggs, J.A. and Tinnermeier, R. (Eds.) 1974: ‘Small Farm Agricultural Development Problems’, Fort Collins.

  • Briggs, J.A. 1989: ‘Farmers Responses to Planned Agricultural Development in the Sudan’. Transactions, Institute of British Geographers, New Series, 3: 464–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brokensha, D.W., Warren, D.M. and Werner, O. (Eds.) 1980: Indigenous Systems of Knowledge and Development, Lanham.

  • Bundy, C. 1988: The Rise and Fall of the South African Pesantry, David Philip, Cape Town.

    Google Scholar 

  • Butynski, T.M. and Kalina, J. 1993: ‘Three New Mountain National Parks for Uganda’. Oryx 27: 24–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carr, M. 1985: ‘Technologies for Rural Women: Impact and Dissemination’, in Ahmed, I. (Ed.), Technology and Rural Women, George Allen and Unwin, London, pp. 114–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cernea, M. 1988: ‘Farmer Organisatios and Institution-Building for Sustainable Agriculture’. Development Dialogue, No. 2, pp. 94–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chambers, R. 1983: ‘Rural Development: Putting the Last First’, Longman, Essex.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chambers, R. 1989: ‘Reversals, Institute and Change’, Farmer First, Longman, Essex.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chambers, R. and Jiggins, J. 1986: ‘Agricultural Research for Resource-Poor Farmers: A Parsimonious Paradigm’, IDS Discussion Paper, No. 220, IDS, University of Sussex, pp. 1–40.

  • Chambers, R. and Jiggins, J. 1987: ‘Agricultural Research for Resource-Poor Farmers, Part I: Transfer of Technology and Farming Systems Research’ Agricultural Administration and Extension 27: 35–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cunningham, A.B. 1996: ‘People, Park and Plant Use: Recommendations for Multiple-Use Zones and Development Alternatives Around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda’, People and Plants Working Paper No. 4, UNESCO, Paris.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cunningham, A.B., Wild, R.G., Mutebi, J. and Tsekeli, A. 1993: ‘People and Wild Plant Use’. Report for CARE Development Through Conservation Project (DTC) Kabale, Uganda.

  • Darkoh, M.B.K., 1991: ‘Sustaining the Arid and Semi-Arid Environments in Kenya Through Improved Pastoralism and Agriculture’, Journal of Eastern Arican Research and Development 21: 1–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dommergues, Y.R. 1989: ‘How can Nitrogen Fixation Contribute to the Maintenance and Improvement of Soil Fertility’, Proceedings of the International Conference on Drought, Desertification and Food Deficit in Africa, African Academy of Sciences, Nairobi, Kenya.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, F. 1989: ‘Peasant Economic, Farm Households and Agrarian Development’, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farrington, I. and Martin, A.M. 1989: ‘Farmers' Participatory Research: A Review of Concepts and Recent Fieldwork’, Agricultural Administration and Extension 29: 247–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Floyd, B.N. 1977: ‘Small-Scale Agriculture in Trinidad: A Caribbean Case Study in the Problems of Transforming Rural Societies in the Tropics’, Occasional Publications New Series, Department of Geography, University of Durham, England.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foley, G. and Barnard, G. 1984: ‘Farm and Community Forestry’, Earthscan, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Geheb, K. 1995: ‘Exploring People-Environment Relationships: The Changing Nature of the Small-Scale Fishery in the Kenyan Sector of Lake Victoria’, in Binns, T. (Ed.), People and Environment in Africa, John Wiley, Chichester, pp. 91–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Geheb, K. and Binns, T. 1977: ‘Fishing Farmers, or Farming Fishermen?: The Quest for Household Income and Nutritional Security on the Kenyan Shores of Lake Victoria’, African Affairs 96: 73–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giddens, A. 1984: ‘The Constitution of Society’, University of California Press, Berkeley, C.A.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gonzalez, R.M. 1995: ‘KBS, GIS and Documnting IndigenousKnowledge’, Indigenous Knowledge and Development Monitor 3: 5–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Havelock, R.G. 1989: ‘Planning for Innovation Through Dissemination and Utilisation of Knowledge’, Centre for Research on Utilisation of Scientific Knowledge, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herrick, B. and Kindleberger, C.P. 1983: ‘Economic Development’, McGraw-Hill, Singapore.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, P. 1970: ‘Studies in Rural Capitalism in West Africa’, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill-Kaplan Scott 1992: ‘Transkei Soil Conservation Programme: Annual Report’, Department of Agriculture and Forestry (Engineering Services), Umtata.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hogendorn, J.S. 1987: ‘Economic Development’, Harper-Row, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huizinga, B. 1982: ‘Rural Extension and the Search for Institutional Arrangements for Small-Farmer Development: The Case of the Guided-Change Project in Northern Nigeria’, in Jones, G.E. and Rolls, M., Progress in Rural Extension and Community Development, John Wiley and Sons, New York, pp. 117–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ilbery, B.W. 1985: ‘Agricultural Geography: Social and Economic Analysis’, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) 1995: ‘Vision for Food, Agriculture and the Environment’, IFRI, Washington, D.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Itumu, O.A. 1991: ‘Potential Agroforestry Technologies for Smallholder Farmers in Malawi’, Chitede Agricultural Research Station, Lilongwe, Malawi.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, B.F. and Kilby, P. 1972: ‘Inter-Relations Between Agricultural and Industrial Growth’, Paper Presented at the International Economic Association Conference on Place of Agriculture in the Development of Underdeveloped Countries, Bad Godesberg, Germany.

  • King, K.F.S. and Chandler, M.T. 1987: ‘The Wasted Lands: The Programme of Work of ICRAF’, ICRAF, Nairobi, Kenya.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lado, C. 1986: ‘Agricultural and Environmental Knowledge: A Case Study of Peasant Farming in Maridi District, Southern Sudan’. Malaysian Journal of Tropical Geography 13: 7–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lado, C. 1989: ‘Peasant Farmers' Rationality and the Diffusion of Agricultural Innovations in Maridi District, Southern Sudan’, Malaysian Journal of Tropical Geography, 20, December, pp. 20–29.

  • Lado, C. 1991: ‘A Note on the Appropriate Agricultural Technology and the Designation of Agro-Ecological Zones for African Environments’, Eastern African Social Science Review, The Organisation for Social Science Research in Eastern Africa (OSSREA), VII: 48–66.

  • Lado, C. 1994: ‘Sustainable Agricultural Land Use and Farmers' Participation in Agroforestry Technology in Zambia Africa’, Eastern and Southern Africa Geographical Journal, 5: 18–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lal, R. 1989: ‘Soil and Water Conservation and Management Research in Tropical Africa’, Proceedings of the International Confreence on Drought, Desertification and Food Deficit in Africa, African Academy of Sciences, Nairobi, Kenya.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lele, U. 1975: ‘The Design of Rural Development: Lessons from Africa’, Baltimore.

  • Long, N, 1977: ‘An Introduction to the Sociology of Rural Development’, John Wiley and Sons, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mettrick, H. 1993: ‘Development-Oriented Research in Agriculture: An ICRA Textbook’, The International Centre for Development-Oriented Research in Agriculture, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  • McAllister, P. 1992: ‘Rural Production, Land Use and Development Planning in Transkei: A Critique of the Transkei Agricultural Development Study’. Journal of Contemporary African Studies II: 200–222.

    Google Scholar 

  • McIntosh, A., Quintan, T. and Vaughan, A. 1993: ‘Promoting Small-Scale Irrigation Enterprises in the Transkei: Possibilities and Constraints’, Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Durban-Westville, Durban.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohamed, Y.A. 1996: ‘Drought and the Need to Change: The Expansion of Water Harvesting in Central Darfur, Sudan’, in Reij, C., Scoones, I. and Toulmin, C. (eds.), Sustaining the Soil: Indigenous Soil and Water Conservation in Africa, Earthscan Publications Ltd., London, pp. 35–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Monu, E.D. 1982: ‘The Contribution of Adoption and Diffusion of Innovation Research to Agricultural Development in Africa’. African Studies Review, XXV: 117–126.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Monu, E.D. and Omole, M.M. 1982: ‘Sources of Farm Information Among Nigerian Cocoa Farmers’. Agricultural Administration 9: 81–89.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Monu, E.D. 1989: ‘Dissemination and Utilisation of Research Results in Rural Development Projects’, Paper Prepared for the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada.

  • Mortimore, M. and Tiffen, M. 1995: ‘Population and Environment in Time Perspective: The Machakos Story’, in Binns, T. (ed.), People and Environment in Africa, John Wiley and Sons, Chickester, pp. 69–90.

  • Msham, H.S. 1993: ‘Integrating Conservation into the Farming System: Agroforestry as a Potential Option’, Splash, Newletter for the SADC Environment and Land Management Sector, January–April, pp. 9–18.

  • Mukanda, N. and Mwiinga, R. 1993: ‘Soil and Water Management in Zambia’, in Hudson, N. and Cheatle, R. (eds.), Working With Farmers for Better Land Husbandry, IT Publications, London, pp. 37–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nel, E., Hill, T. and Binns, T. 1997: ‘Development from Below in the New South Africa: The Case of Hertzog’. Eastern Cape. The Geographical Journal 63: 57–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Norman, D.W. 1974: ‘Rationalising Mixed Cropping Under Indigenous Conditions: The Example of Northern Nigeria’. Journal of Development Studies, II: 3–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Obua, J. and Muhanguzi, G. 1998: ‘Farmers' Knowledge of Indigenous Tree Cultivation Around Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Uganda’. Indigenous Knowledge and Development Monitor 6: 11–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Okigbo, B.N. 1989: ‘Agroforestry: Potential in Development of Sustainable Agriculture and Combating African Environmental Crisis’, Proceedings of the International Conference on Drought, Desertification and Food Deficit in Africa, African Academy of Sciences, Nairobi, Kenya.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olukosi, J. 1976: ‘Decisions of Farmers Under Risk and Uncertainty: The Case of Ipetu and Odo-Ore Farmers in Kwara State’, Samaru Agricultural Newsletter, No. 18, pp. 108–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Opschoor, J.B. 1981: ‘Environmental Resources Utilisation in Communal Botswana’, National Institute of Research (NIR) Working Paper No. 38, University of Botswana.

  • Othieno, C.O. 1989: ‘Research Contributions to the Development of the Kenya Tea Industry’, Proceedings of the International Conference on Drought, Desertification and Food Deficit in Africa, African Academy of Sciences, Nairobi, Kenya.

    Google Scholar 

  • Owen, W.F. 1974: ‘The Significance of Small Farms in Developing Countries, in Briggs, J.A. and Tinnermeier, R.L. (eds.), Small Farm Agricultural Development Problems, pp. 21–45.

  • Phillips-Howard, K.D. and Oche, C.Y. 1996: ‘Local Farming in the Former Transkei, South Africa’, in Reij, C., Scoones, I. and Toulmin, C. (eds.), Sustaining the Soil: Indigenous Soil and Water Conservation in Africa, Earthscan Publications Ltd., London, pp. 181–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richards, P. 1985: ‘Indigenous Agricultural Revolution’, Hutchinson, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richards, P. 1986: ‘Coping with Hunger: Hazard and Experiment in an African Rice Farming System.’ Allen and Unwin, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rocheleau, D.E. 1988: ‘The User Perspective and the Agro-forestry Research and Action Agenda’, in Gholz, H.C. (ed.), Agroforestry: Realities, Possibilities and Potential, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, The Netherlands, pp. 60–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Röling, N.G. 1983: ‘Agricultural Knowledge: Its Development, Transformation, Promotion and Utilisation, Issues for Information Consolidation’. Paper for Third Expert Working Group on Information, Analysis and Consolidation, UNESCO/UNISIST, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 12–16 September.

  • Röling, N.G. and Engel, P.G.H. 1990: ‘Information Technology From a Knowledge Systems Perspective: Concepts and Issues, Knowledge in Society’. The International Journal of Knowledge Transfer 3: 6–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sachs, I. 1989: Sustainable Development: From Normative Concept of Action, ‘Seminar on the Environment’, 30th Annual Meeting IDB, The Hague.

  • Sands, D.M. 1986: ‘The Technology Application Gap: Overcoming Constraints to Small-Farm Development’, FAO Research and Technology Paper 1, FAO, Rome.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sayer, A. 1985: ‘Realism and Geography’ in Johnston, R.J. (ed.), The Future of Geography, Methuen, London, pp. 159–73.

  • Scott, P.J. 1992: Fringe Benefits: Minor Forest Product Collection Within Buffer Zones as a Potential Tool for Conflict Resolution in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Unpublished M.Sc. Thesis, Department of Forest sciences, Agricultural University of Norway.

  • Scoones, I. 1995: ‘Policies for Pastoralists: New Directions for Pastoral Development in Africa’, in Binns, T. (ed.), People and Environment in Africa, John Wiley and Sons, Chichester, pp. 23–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stöhr, W.B. and Taylor, D.R.F. 1981: ‘Development from Above or Below? The Dialectics of Regional Planning in Developing Countries’, John Wiley and Sons, Chichester.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, L. and Jenkins, P. 1989: ‘Time to Listen: The Human Aspect in Development’. Intermediate Technology Publications Ltd., London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiffen, M., Mortimore, M. and Gichuki, F. 1994: ‘More People, Less Erosion: Environmental Recovery in Kenya’, John Wiley and Sons, Chichester.

    Google Scholar 

  • Todaro, M.P. 1981: ‘Economic Development in the Third World’, Longman Inc.

  • Wild, R.G. and Mutebi, J. 1996: ‘Conservation Through Use of Plant Resources, Establishing Collaborative Management at Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks’, UNESCO Publications.

  • World Bank 1981: ‘Accelerated Development in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Agenda for Action’, Washington, D.C.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, School of Environmental Studies, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535, South Africa

    Cleophas Lado

Authors
  1. Cleophas Lado
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lado, C. The transfer of agricultural technology and the development of small-scale farming in rural Africa: Case studies from Ghana, Sudan, Uganda, Zambia and South Africa. GeoJournal 45, 165–176 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006931320926

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006931320926

Search

Navigation