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systems research - the IDRC Digital Library - International ...

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Investor concerns<br />

Usually investors are interested in <strong>the</strong> outcome of a new technology and its impact<br />

on various parameters that range from productivity to incomes. This is particularly<br />

true in <strong>the</strong> case of large-scale development programs that make significant<br />

investments in <strong>the</strong> agriculture sector. In <strong>the</strong>se instances not only <strong>the</strong> direct benefits<br />

are of interest, but also <strong>the</strong> indirect social and o<strong>the</strong>r multiplier benefits.<br />

Donor requirements<br />

Doilors that fund <strong>research</strong> and development programs are often interested in <strong>the</strong><br />

final impact of <strong>the</strong>ir investments. This is reflected in periodic reviews by project<br />

evaluation teams that go to <strong>the</strong> field to understand <strong>the</strong> benefits that farmers have<br />

obtained from <strong>the</strong> new technology. However, <strong>the</strong>se cursory visits do not adequately<br />

provide <strong>the</strong> information. An assessment of <strong>the</strong> benefits that <strong>the</strong> larger group of<br />

farmers have obtained from a particular program is of interest to donors.<br />

Feedback to <strong>research</strong>ers<br />

Within a <strong>research</strong> complex, <strong>the</strong> greatest beneficiary of an impact study will be <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>research</strong>ers <strong>the</strong>mselves. They benefit by obtaining a better appreciation of <strong>the</strong><br />

benefits, or lack of benefits, from <strong>the</strong> perspective of <strong>the</strong> farmers. This is not usually<br />

done because, in most instances, <strong>research</strong>ers are satisfied with <strong>the</strong> knowledge that<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir <strong>research</strong> efforts are being practiced by farmers. Macrostatistics that indicate<br />

overall increases in production do not reflect <strong>the</strong> real picture in terms of differential<br />

impacts across different environments, or across different farmer groups and<br />

farming <strong>systems</strong>. This information can be obtained only from an in-depth impact<br />

study that analyzes <strong>the</strong> causes and effects of <strong>the</strong> use of a technology in a particular<br />

environment.<br />

IMPACT ON WHAT?<br />

Generally, economists involved in agricultural <strong>research</strong> tend to look at benefits from<br />

new technologies that reflect components of economic development. The issues can<br />

be categorized into micro and macro issues.<br />

Micro issues<br />

These issues are related more to direct effects in terms of increases in productivity,<br />

real incomes, and purchasing power of <strong>the</strong> farmers. These benefits are reflected in<br />

terms of a greater and more efficient use of inputs that fur<strong>the</strong>r increase productivity.<br />

Increases in <strong>the</strong> accumulation of capital assets, both farm and nonfarm, and, from a

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