multipurpose tree species research for small farms: strategies ... - part

are found in one or another research institution,
but are seldom all found in any given institution.
Increase Researcher-End User Interaction
Effective interaction between researchers and
the various end users of the research findings
increases the capacity of research institutions to
carry out research relevant to local needs
(Gregersen V.-84). However, many forest research
institutions do not have a formal field network to
interact with end users. This is particularly true
when the end users are farmers who live widely
dispersed in rural areas and are generally unable to
express their problems to appropriate authorities.
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and
small agricltural universities or colleges with
farmer-oriented research mandates are often the
most effective inmaintaining close links with
farmers.
On-farm research has long been used in
agriculture for scientists to visit the field and
interact with farmers. It a!so helps both scientist
and farmer to modify the proposed techniques to
match tne site conditions. Therefore, on-farm
trials should be given priority for funding and
should be considered an integral part of the total
research program.
Use Appropriate Expertise
Understanding the problems of small-scale
farmers is extremely difficult ,lue to their
complexity. The problems vary with the extent of
land holding, soil productivity, family size, and
non-agricultural employment opportunities. As
these problems are riot directly related to forestry,
it is difficult for MPTS scientists to design projects
without the help of economists and social
scientists.
This point can be illustrated vith the problem of
stray grazing. Approximately 90% of the livestock
in India are allowed to graze freely on public land
and there is an acute shortage of fodder. However,
increasing fodder production is not necessarily the
best response to solve this problem. It is first.
necessary to understand the pattern of livestock
ownership, extent of land holdings, productivity of
the livestock, and the cost of fodder production, all
of which require the tools and inputs of economists
and social scientists. Often, it may not be
economically feasible to produce fodder, unless the
goal of the farmers is to improve their livestock to
increase production.
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Encourage Reorientation of Funding Agencies
Funding agcncies often sct rcsearch agendas.
Such agencies can shift their priorities to
motivate scientists to work Ma new areas. So far,
few funding agencies have emphasi,'cd the need
to work on MPTS-related research
opportunities for small-scale farmers.
Increased emphasis on MPTS research by
funding agencies would be helpful in
encouraging additional research or;ented to this
important field.
Redirect Training Priorities
Training at international institutions is ol
great importance in promoting scientists' career
paths. Such scientists approach a problem with
new ideas, and view it with a wider perspective.
They also build networks with international
scientists and technology centers allowing them
t'i strengthen their department, expand their
area of research and provide morejob
opportunities based on their capacity to
generate funding.
Generally, the government decides the priority
of traininf areas, selects the scientists and
arranges for their training. When government
administrators decide that scientists should
study overseas only to learn advanced
technology, young scientists are discouraged
from studying socioeconomic issues related to
small farms. Equal training opportunities for
scientists specializing in forestry, economics and
social science would help develop a
socioeconomic branch of forestry research.
Establish a Social Science Component
The complexities of the economis of small
farm management and the needs and desires of
farmers require special research tools. These
tools are often found in the disciplines of the
social sciences and economics. Clearly,
project. and programs which include a distinct
social science component, office or department
are likely to provide bette: access to methods of
rapid rural appraisal, social analysis, marketing,
etc. than those which do not have such
institutional structures. As an independent
division, the scientists would be able to develop
relevant research programs and interact with
the foresters.
Recognize and Encourage Farmer Research
Farmers have 'icn experimentalists long
before the advent of professional agric titural