Abstract:
Participatory technology development has been used for quite some time. However, little is known
about how farmers perceive participatory methods and processes. Understanding farmers’ concerns
about the participatory process can be an important starting point and can further the ultimate aim of
encouraging sustained technology adoption. An ex-post participatory technology development and
transfer evaluation was carried out in Zimbabwe in 2006/07 involving 231 farmers. It was revealed that
use of demonstration trials encouraged the greatest participation and subsequent adoption and
adaptation of the technologies to suit specific needs. The participatory nature of the process encouraged
greater knowledge-sharing among farmers and gave them more confidence in the technology. In order
to increase the gains of the participatory process, feedback loops should be built in to allow
improvements and modifications to be made to the techniques being promoted.
