Socioeconomic and biophysical aspects in technology transference
The document explains that the aim of ex-ante technology design is to formulate new technology that: will be viewed by small farmers as attractive improvements over existing methods and be of more positive net benefit to the nation than existing small-farmer technology. The first of these aims is explored in terms of methodological considerations in applying economic analysis to ex-ante technology design and appraisal. It adds that technological design demands interactions, sometimes extended over a period excessively long for the liking of those involved between biologists, economists, and administrators. The economists should participate from the start to help identify target groups (i.e., regions and type of farms), and the resource and institutional constraints to be taken as irremovable become critical. During the second stage this process will allow an initial screening of potential technologies to be designed in the third interaction stage. The apparent improvement of aversion to risk by small farmers has been widely stressed. Technologies that satisfy only the criterion of higher net profits may be unacceptable if they involve outlays threatening the subsistence level of small-farmer income. The recognition and quantification of multiple constraints at the farm level then becomes an important phase in the adaptation and validation of new technology. (MIBA)
Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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Format: | Texto biblioteca |
Language: | eng |
Published: |
Paramaribo (Suriname)
1985
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Summary: | The document explains that the aim of ex-ante technology design is to formulate new technology that: will be viewed by small farmers as attractive improvements over existing methods and be of more positive net benefit to the nation than existing small-farmer technology. The first of these aims is explored in terms of methodological considerations in applying economic analysis to ex-ante technology design and appraisal. It adds that technological design demands interactions, sometimes extended over a period excessively long for the liking of those involved between biologists, economists, and administrators. The economists should participate from the start to help identify target groups (i.e., regions and type of farms), and the resource and institutional constraints to be taken as irremovable become critical. During the second stage this process will allow an initial screening of potential technologies to be designed in the third interaction stage. The apparent improvement of aversion to risk by small farmers has been widely stressed. Technologies that satisfy only the criterion of higher net profits may be unacceptable if they involve outlays threatening the subsistence level of small-farmer income. The recognition and quantification of multiple constraints at the farm level then becomes an important phase in the adaptation and validation of new technology. (MIBA) |
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