Comments on: Erostus Njuki Nsubuga: Lessons on partnership http://r4dreview.org/2008/09/erostus-njuki-nsubuga-lessons-on-partnership/ Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:15:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Asma http://r4dreview.org/2008/09/erostus-njuki-nsubuga-lessons-on-partnership/comment-page-1/#comment-43 Asma Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:55:36 +0000 http://r4dreview.adapa.si/?p=6#comment-43 I agree with Stella Salvadore, having farmers "participate" through trials on their fellow farmers field is not always a recipe for success and I am curious about the statement in the story. Would it be possible for the authors perhaps to run a parallel story on the engagement (IITA, Private Sector, Farmers)? Such lessons are invaluable and still do not seem to be coming through from large institutions such as IITA. At the end of the day - it will be the farmers to judge your technology. And despite the "localness" of this - there will be wider lessons for all the rest of us in other countries to adopt. Kudos on the good website. I agree with Stella Salvadore, having farmers “participate” through trials on their fellow farmers field is not always a recipe for success and I am curious about the statement in the story. Would it be possible for the authors perhaps to run a parallel story on the engagement (IITA, Private Sector, Farmers)? Such lessons are invaluable and still do not seem to be coming through from large institutions such as IITA. At the end of the day - it will be the farmers to judge your technology. And despite the “localness” of this - there will be wider lessons for all the rest of us in other countries to adopt. Kudos on the good website.

]]> By: Atser GL http://r4dreview.org/2008/09/erostus-njuki-nsubuga-lessons-on-partnership/comment-page-1/#comment-37 Atser GL Tue, 04 Nov 2008 07:36:34 +0000 http://r4dreview.adapa.si/?p=6#comment-37 When do you hope to replicate the "AGT Model" to other crops in other parts of the African continent. Also do you have any mechanism to protect the local farmer from profiteering by these private sector operators. When do you hope to replicate the “AGT Model” to other crops in other parts of the African continent. Also do you have any mechanism to protect the local farmer from profiteering by these private sector operators.

]]> By: Stella Salvador http://r4dreview.org/2008/09/erostus-njuki-nsubuga-lessons-on-partnership/comment-page-1/#comment-31 Stella Salvador Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:38:35 +0000 http://r4dreview.adapa.si/?p=6#comment-31 In Asia, when TC banana plantlets were first introduced some years ago, it met with a lot resistance from local farmers. How will AGT/IITA overcome such resistance in Africa? Also, the statement "AGT is getting farmers involved in production, distribution, and training by establishing banana nurseries and demonstration gardens owned by local farmers. The farmer then becomes the AGT distributor for that community and the nursery the focal point for training others in modern agricultural practices." But wouldn't this be counterproductive in the long-term since farmers remain only as "distributors" for AGT? Wouldn't this tie all farmers down to AGT and, theoretically, subject to its pricing and supply "whims"? What if AGT collapses? What happens to the farmers then? In Asia, when TC banana plantlets were first introduced some years ago, it met with a lot resistance from local farmers. How will AGT/IITA overcome such resistance in Africa?

Also, the statement “AGT is getting farmers involved in production, distribution, and training by establishing banana nurseries and demonstration gardens owned by local farmers. The farmer then becomes the AGT distributor for that community and the nursery the focal point for training others in modern agricultural practices.” But wouldn’t this be counterproductive in the long-term since farmers remain only as “distributors” for AGT? Wouldn’t this tie all farmers down to AGT and, theoretically, subject to its pricing and supply “whims”? What if AGT collapses? What happens to the farmers then?

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