systems research - the IDRC Digital Library - International ...
systems research - the IDRC Digital Library - International ...
systems research - the IDRC Digital Library - International ...
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Many of <strong>the</strong>se adaptations were spearheaded by advanced farmers,<br />
farmer leaders, and medium- to large-size farmers. These farmers have enough<br />
capital to invest in <strong>the</strong>ir farms, to experiment, and to try new methods.<br />
Eventually, <strong>the</strong> benefits of <strong>the</strong> new technologies diffuse to small farmers as well.<br />
Expansion of mungbean and DSR in neighboring areas<br />
In 1985, <strong>the</strong>re was an expansion in <strong>the</strong> area planted to DSR and mungbean<br />
before rice. For example, in Chiang Rai Province, <strong>the</strong>re were 17.6 ha of<br />
mungbean before rice, 7.2 ha of DSR; in Lampang province, 58.4 ha of<br />
mungbean, 159.0 ha of DSR; and in Phrae, 8.6 ha of mungbean and 41.8 ha of<br />
DSR. After 1985-86, statistics on mungbean and rice were aggregated in such a<br />
way that it was impossible to ascertain changes. Initial interviews revealed that<br />
expansion of <strong>the</strong> areas planted to <strong>the</strong>se crops was limited to <strong>the</strong> original sites.<br />
Adoption, however, was not substantial because of problems with marketing,<br />
inadequate <strong>research</strong> and extension support, and <strong>the</strong> need for machinery. The<br />
experience in Dok Kham Tai indicated that continuous support by <strong>research</strong> and<br />
extension personnel is critical to sustain adoption.<br />
SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF ADOPTERS AND NONADOPTERS<br />
The disappearance of DSR in 1986-89 limited data collection on mungbean -<br />
rice adopters: Socioeconomic conditions were assessed among adopters and<br />
nonadopters of mungbean before rice both within and outside <strong>the</strong> project area.<br />
Table 12 shows important socioeconomic indicators of <strong>the</strong> three groups.<br />
Land size and distribution<br />
Adopters of mungbean before rice had larger ricefields and more upland areas<br />
than nonadopters. The average farm size was 2.2 ha among adopters and 1.8 ha<br />
among nonadopters both inside and outside <strong>the</strong> project area. For all farms<br />
(including <strong>the</strong> upland areas) <strong>the</strong> average size was 2.7-2.9 ha. Of <strong>the</strong> adopters,<br />
s~nall farmers (approximately 1 ha) constituted about 30% of <strong>the</strong> total. Small<br />
farmers who were nonadopters constituted 50-53% of <strong>the</strong> total and had about<br />
1.1 ha of land. The percentage of adopters who were medium and large farmers<br />
(33-3796) was greater than for nonadopters (16-33%).<br />
Land tenure<br />
Most adopters were owner-operators (96%) compared with 73-80% of<br />
nonadopters.