Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 October 2008
Before an innovation can be judged as superior to existing technology, its relevance should be jointly evaluated by researchers and farmers by testing the proposed practice in a farm environment. Using a proposed maize technology as an example, it is demonstrated how site-related and management variables can be used to quantify the factors influencing actual yields on farmers' fields. Similarly, economic and management analysis of the practice provides an estimate of the probability of the farmer being better off by using the technology. The integrated analysis of the practice provide insights for the design of problem-oriented research projects.