Factors That Determine the Adoption of Improved Irish Potato Technologies by Farmers in the Western Region of Cameroon

This work examined the determinants of the adoption of improved Irish potato technologies by farmers in three divisions of the Western Region of Cameroon. Data were collected from 170 farmers from 14 villages in our study area using a mixed-method approach—structured questionnaires, focus group discussion, key informant interviews, and participatory observations with individual farmers and farmers belonging to cooperative and common initiative groups. The study employed descriptive statistics and regression analysis to assess the adoption status of farmers and its determinants. The logistic regression analysis showed that farmers’ experience in the cultivation of potatoes, the number of follow-ups, and access to extension facilities after training had a significant positive effect on the adoption of these new technologies while membership to an association had a significant negative effect. Additionally, farmers who received improved seeds from NGOs were more likely to adopt a technology than those who did not. Our results suggested that constant follow-up and training of experienced farmers and the provision of improved potato seeds have the potential of maintaining high rates of Irish potato adoption west in Cameroon irrespective of whether they belong to cooperative or not. We recommend that the number of follow-ups, extension training, and market linkages for farmers should be increased. Additionally, more farmers should join farmer groups such as cooperatives or common initiative groups to increase their awareness rate and adopt improved potato innovation through farm extension.

The development of Conservation Agriculture in Australia--Farmers as innovators

The Australian story of farmer innovation in Conservation Agriculture reveals a complex interplay of policy,economics,science,and farming.Farmer experimentation with Conservation Agriculture began in the 1960’s and has continued to this day where around 80%-90%of Australia’s 23.5 million hectares of winter crops are now grown using Conservation Agriculture principles.This remarkable achievement is the result of both sustained investment in agricultural research and development and farmer innovation.Australian economic settings and science policies have encouraged and facilitated farmer participation in the Conservation Agricultural innovation system.Australian farmers have embraced Conservation Agriculture because it has met their needs,maintaining productivity and profitability in the face of declining terms of trade,and sustainably intensifying production with enhanced environmental outcomes.Drawing on individual farmer case studies,the specific strengths of farmer innovation are identified and the enabling conditions necessary for farmer innovation to flourish are discussed.