A Path to Prosperity New Directions for African Livestock

Box 6 Lessons Learnt from Unsuccessful Efforts to Introduce Feed Technologies
to Small Farmers 100
1 It is important to understand the social context in which small farmers operate.
They tend to have very low risk thresholds. Even when farmers agree it is a good
technology, they may not use it. Subsistence farmers have many other priority jobs
apart from livestock husbandry. It is vital to realise that women commonly do more
than 70% of livestock-based activities and they are usually already over-burdened,
have little time to spare for extra work and may never have been consulted about
the new technology.
2 New technologies must be as simple and easy as possible. For example, when
compounded cattle feed is introduced its uptake is normally fast (particularly
for the dairy sector) as it requires no additional labour, there are clear delivery
mechanisms and the availability of credit and the awareness of a quick economic
return on the investment are relatively easy to realise.
3 The quick economic return is vital. There must be a direct effect on income generation,
competitiveness with other farm enterprises in terms of land use and labour. Market
linkages or the value chain needs to be in place. The availability of a market for the
animal products has facilitated the adoption of nutritional technologies.
4 Understanding and developing partnerships is important. Business–farmer–scientist–
extension worker interactions need to be strong and participatory. All these actors
have particular experience and understanding of how they interact, their working
practices and the policy environment in which they operate. Understanding these
interactions can help to remove bottlenecks to technology adoption.
5 Institutional mechanisms need to be in position. This could be the capacity to provide
extension services or model farms and certainly appropriate policies that provide
incentives for key actors in the value chain.
6 The use of nutritional technologies at cooperative level (or farmers’ association level)
enhances adoption of technologies.
The Impetus Strategy Paper I Page 37