No case of CAPS adoption has occurred without the mobilization of multiple partners. The Technology Networks CCRA examines communication networks between farmers and their contacts in the agricultural sector. The research addresses two components of these relationships:
- Knowledge and attitudes towards agriculture production practices
- Information and physical resources exchanged which support innovation processes.
By studying networks at SANREM sites, the Technology Networks CCRA will identify characteristics that enable smallholder CAPS development. LTRA partners may use these findings to determine the key relationships for successful CAPS adaptation. For example, network data will help to identify farmers who are opinion leaders and may be most successful in a trainer of trainers model.
Hypotheses:
- H1: CAPS adoption requires changing agricultural stakeholder attitudes toward production practices
- H2: Highly connected farmers (in years 1 and 4) will be more likely to develop CAPS
- H3: Knowledge exchange between men and women will encourage CAPS adoption
Technology Networks CCRA Objectives and Data Collection Requirements
Data will be collected on the different attitudes toward production practices held by farmers and agriculture service sector providers.
A combination of focus group and survey activities will accomplish the following objectives:
| Objective | Explanation and Hypotheses tested | Data Collection Process |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Identify agricultural stakeholders knowledge and beliefs which inform production practices | Identify the variation in knowledge, beliefs, and perceptions (H1, H3) |
1. Environmental beliefs and perceptions focus group activity conducted with Gendered Knowledge CCRA 2. Administer one-page knowledge and beliefs questions (Likert items) in years 1 and 4 as part of household surveys 3. Follow up with one-page knowledge and beliefs survey of key contacts in agricultural support sector 4. |
| 2. Quantify and describe structure and resource flows of agricultural sector networks | Examine opportunities and constraints imposed by communication and resource flows (H2, H3) |
1. Resource generator focus group activity conducted with Gendered Knowledge CCRA 2. Administer two-page social networks questions in years 1 and 4 as part of household surveys 3. Follow up with two-page network survey of key contacts in agricultural support sector |
| 3. Determine opinion leaders and supporting relationships needed to facilitate technological change | Use social network analysis to develop a CAPS adoption model (H1, H2, H3) | Based upon data collected in Objective 1 and 2. |
Projected Outputs
The research will contribute to the SANREM Knowledgebase (SKB) in the form of literature reviews, two master’s theses, journal articles, and associated collaborative publications from LTRA PIs.