Smallholder innovation and adoption of hay and silage technologies in Honduras

摘要

In the tropics and subtropics,adoption of forage conservation methods has been limited,especially under resource‐ poor smallholder conditions ( Mannetje, 2000 ).From 2004 to 2006, CIAT and its partners applied different participatory extension strategies to stimulate innovation and adoption of hay and silage technologies in long dry season environments of Honduras : (1).Promotion of innovation.was applied with groups of smallholders in locations where hay and silage were unknown or not used.Low‐cost alternatives such as little bag silage ( LBS) were offered during farmer trainings and their adaptation to local conditions was fostered ; (2).Promotion of adoption.was applied in locations where farmer trainings had been previously undertaken and at least one innovator had adopted silage technology.Field days and demonstrations at innovators'farms were held in order to exchange experiences and stimulate farmer‐to‐farmer technology diffusion.This study seeks to point out effects, potentials and constraints of forage conservation technologies for resource‐poor farmers and investigates innovation and adoption processes as a result of different extension strategies.