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Members<br />

what is right depends on policies in <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r areas (e.g., health,<br />

environment, and financing).<br />

o Accessibility of credit is important in <strong>the</strong> adoption of FSR-based<br />

technologies. However, most farmers do not have adequate collateral to<br />

get credit from institutions. To mitigate this problem, farmers should be<br />

encouraged to group <strong>the</strong>mselves to show <strong>the</strong>ir joint liabilities for access to<br />

credit. Risk-distribution strategies should be used. Provision of crop<br />

insurance is also needed to secure and sustain production <strong>systems</strong>.<br />

o A congenial marketing environment must be provided to allow producers<br />

to dispose of <strong>the</strong>ir products. Lack of an organized marketing system in <strong>the</strong><br />

rural sector puts farmers at a disadvantage. Groupings of farmers help to<br />

streng<strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong>ir bargaining power. Vertical links through <strong>the</strong><br />

development of rural agri-based industries create better marketing<br />

<strong>systems</strong>, employment, and distribution of marketing margins.<br />

o Infrastructure support to FSR-based technologies is part of <strong>the</strong> analysis of<br />

site conditions. Extrapolation to areas without an equivalent<br />

infrastructure is irresponsible. Development of FSR-based technologies<br />

in less advantaged and less favored areas will be more difficult because<br />

<strong>the</strong>se areas are likely to be Inore heterogeneous. However, social equity<br />

demands that <strong>the</strong> attempt be made.<br />

o Extension, education, and training are very important support <strong>systems</strong>.<br />

Active involvement of a11 major actors (e.g., <strong>research</strong>ers, extension<br />

workers, farmers, and <strong>the</strong> private sector) should be ensured from <strong>the</strong><br />

initial to <strong>the</strong> last stages of <strong>the</strong> FSR approach. Institutionalization of <strong>the</strong><br />

FSR approach must be encouraged in various educational institutions.<br />

Informal training in <strong>the</strong> FSR approach should be intensified and provided<br />

to extension workers, subject matter specialists, and middle-level<br />

managers.<br />

o Policy <strong>research</strong> on <strong>the</strong> impact and return on investment of FSR should be<br />

given priority.<br />

Group 3: Institutions<br />

S. Biggs - England (convenor); V. R. Carangal - Philippines; T. Bottema - Indonesia;<br />

M. Siddique - Bangladesh; D. K. S. Su~vastika - Indonesia; S. W. Almy -<br />

Madagascar; C. Sukapong - Thailand; A. Mandac - Philippines; J. M. K. P.<br />

Jayasinghe - Sri Lanka; W. Ratnayake - Sri Lanka; and K. A. Mettananda - Sri<br />

Lanka.

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