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Increasing the effectiveness of technology transfer for conservation cropping systems through research and field design

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 February 2007

O. Forté-Gardner ,
F.L. Young ,
D.A. Dillman  and
M.S. Carroll
O. Forté-Gardner*
Affiliation:
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.
F.L. Young*
Affiliation:
USDA-ARS, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.
D.A. Dillman
Affiliation:
Social and Economic Sciences Research Center, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.
M.S. Carroll
Affiliation:
Department of Natural Resource Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.
*
*Corresponding author: [email protected]
*Corresponding author: [email protected]
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Abstract

A survey was conducted in 2002 to measure the success of technology transfered to growers (i.e., changes in attitudes and behaviors) from a long-term, large-scale, integrated cropping systems experiment called the Ralston Project, near Ralston, Washington, USA. Non-irrigated, cereal and oilseed growers who participated in biennial field tours (1996–2000) were mailed a self-administered questionnaire, which asked about: (1) their interest, use and adoption of technology developed or demonstrated in the project; (2) their opinions about the project's collaborators, planning and design; and (3) their overall impressions of the project. One hundred and one eligible growers responded to the questionnaire, for a 55% overall response rate and a 62% completion rate. Survey results confirmed that the Ralston Project field tours were a successful means of technology transfer among participants. Seventy-seven percent of growers found one or more project technologies particularly useful to their own production operation(s). More than 60% conducted independent trials with one or more technologies, with 50% of these trials resulting in permanent adoptions. The project's planning and design had a more positive effect on growers' opinion of the project than the type of collaborations and sources of funding. Specific strategies that had a substantially positive effect on growers' opinions included: (1) the project's ‘whole system’ treatment design; (2) use of large plots to accommodate field-sized equipment; and (3) collaboration among scientific disciplines and with local growers. Seven variables known to influence the adoption of innovation were also tested against growers' decisions to try any of the project's technology in their own farm operations. Personal character variables influenced individuals' decisions to try project technology more so than environmental conditions. Level of education, previous adoption behavior and average annual rainfall significantly influenced growers' behavior (P<0.05). Our survey population consisted of early users of conservation-based farming technology, primarily innovators and early adopters. The Ralston Project made the greatest impact on current adopters and users of conservation-based farming technology. Interest among non-users was also high enough to suggest that the Ralston Project contributed positively to the diffusion of conservation cropping systems and associated technology into the greater grower community. We discovered from this survey that the planning and execution of field research plays a significant and influential role in transferring more complex, and perhaps high-risk, conservation-based farm technology. By understanding how research and field design affect different user groups within the grower community, professionals can identify appropriate strategies to expand interest beyond their primary target audience and influence attitudes and behaviors that facilitate widespread adoption.

Keywords

diffusionadoptionimpactconservation cropping systemstechnology transferRalston Project
Type
Research Article
Information
Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems , Volume 19 , Issue 4 , December 2004 , pp. 199 - 209
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2004

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