ICRISAT Archival Report 2006 - The seedlings of success in the ...

2.1 Various technologies to address land degradation problem in Zimbabwe
2.1.1 The basis of the technology’s success
Table 6 shows a number of technologies that have been selected and implemented in the different environments
within the three pilot sites of DMP-Zimbabwe. Most of these technologies have been tested over time at research
stations, in on-farm trials and verified by participating farmers even before the initiation of DMP. What has been
missing for most of these technologies and approaches has been their interfacing with farmers, who see the
opportunity and are supported in its adoption beyond mere introduction. For the target communities in DMP the
need is obvious and the opportunities and benefits are evident to the level that they do not necessarily need statistical
verification. The approaches used in raising awareness, identifying problems, prioritizing issues and selecting
options as solutions has empowered the communities to single out those that they can invest their energies in.
2.1.2 How is it implemented?
A number of implementation strategies were employed as some of the technologies were once implemented in the
past though with limited success in some cases. The aspects of the strategies included the following:
• The demand driven approach
This was employed on some technologies that had been introduced through a number of farming programs. These
include technologies that have direct impact on household benefits/incomes or capacity to produce adequate food.
These are technologies that enhance crop production such as tied ridges, land reclamation, improved varieties, small
grains, crop management and use of soil amendments and inorganic fertilizers. On the livestock front, this included
knowledge and techniques on disease control, dry season feed production and general herd management.
• Demonstrations
Demonstrations were done through FFS based on farmer choices and only on those issues emerging as promising
from on-farm testing and verification. These are simple and with easily discernable effects. Exchange visits to sites
and communities with technologies already at work will play a significant role. This is drawn from the experience
which has shown that learning through seeing and peer interaction is very powerful.
2.1.3 Up-scaling the technology
A number of strategies were identified for up-scaling of technologies:
• Intensification
The technology application and adoption started with a few farmers in one geographical area. As results
demonstrate, more farmers in the same area started to learn, apply and adopt the technology as the normal way of
doing things. In other words, more farmers in one area apply the technology from seeing results from other more
successful farmers.
• Expansion
This involves coverage of farmers from a bigger geographical area than covered by the pilot. This will be done first
across the current pilot sites and then to adjoining areas that have similar conditions.
• Promotions
These will be done through learning visits and seed fairs where farmer-to-farmer learning will be emphasized.
Where farmer networks are strong, trained farmers will help train other farmers that are interested in the new
technology.
The technologies enumerated in Table 6 will be disseminated to other sites in the country based on the criteria of
nearness to the current sites, demand by farmers, areas covered by the current partners and target areas by potential
donors. Up-scaling of current technologies will follow such areas such as the San inhabited areas in Tsholotsho, the
Matobo Hills World Heritage site and the Great Zimbabwe National Park. These technologies can also be up-scaled
to other countries. Key partners for
up-scaling these technologies include local communities, research institutions, extension services and other relevant
government institutions and NGOs.
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