

@mastersthesis {6804,
	title = {Whose technology counts? {A} study of promotion of soil and water conservation and its acceptance by smallholder farmers, with special reference to the {North} {Bank} {Division}, the {Gambia}. ({BL}: {DXN}051103)},
	year = {2002},
	note = {U148770},
	school = {University of East Anglia (United Kingdom)},
	type = {phdPh.{D}.},
	address = {Ann Arbor},
	abstract = {The framework for this study was built around the competing views: {\textquoteright}Africa in crisis{\textquoteright} and {\textquoteright}African land users have solutions{\textquoteright}, and whether there is a greater measure of truth in one or the other. These issues needed substantiation or illumination. This thesis contributes through examining the current methods of soil and water conservation (SWC), how processes in the biophysical and social environments affect the local uptake and knowledge of SWC, through farming systems filters of land tenure, subsidies, incentives, farmers participation, extension and research.The research investigates the potential for, and modalities of, building on traditions of SWC, and recommends new directions for development and associated research in SWC. These issues are studied by the use of both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The research is based on conceptual and empirical insights gained from a review of the literature and a case study in the North Bank Division of The Gambia.Three main results are derived: 1. Agricultural research and extension must be integrated into local production contexts, and SWC technologies must be linked to short-term production and profitability; 2. Smallholder farmers embark on complex {\textquoteright}landcare{\textquoteright} and {\textquoteright}sustainable land management{\textquoteright} as a primary objective; and 3. Farmers adopted more labour, cost and time saving practices; used early maturing, drought and pest resistant varieties; moisture retention and fertility maintenance practices in response to production pressures.Biological means of fertility maintenance, and the diversification of livelihoods and farming systems, offer promising SWC options. A balance of suitable policy conditions, which provide reliable markets, inputs and land tenure, are essential requirements for large-scale adoption of SWC technologies. There are limits to technical solutions to complex land management problems; learning from and with smallholder farmers leads to adoptable SWC technologies.},
	keywords = {(UMI)AAIU148770, 0503:Agricultural economics, Agricultural economics, Bibliographies, Psychology{\textendash}Abstracting, Social sciences, Statistics},
	url = {http://search.proquest.com/docview/301637611?accountid=14270},
	author = {Sima, S S}
}
