Green gram Varietal Trial-Case Study of Participatory Technology Development Balamatti Arun1,*, Yogesh G H2,** 1ICAR-JSS-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Suttur, 571129, Mysuru District, Karnataka State, India 2Room No. 235, District Administrative Building, Chamarajanagar District, 571313, Karnataka State, India *email: arunbalamatti@gmail.com, jsskvk@gmail.com
** ghy23@rediffmail.com
Online published on 23 December, 2016. Abstract The paper highlights the importance of process over outcomes in extension research and the value of participatory approaches over ‘top-down’ extension methods. The case study is based on the Participatory Technology Development (PTD) conducted by AME Foundation, an NGO. A group of 20 farmers, when offered an opportunity to introduce an intercrop in sorghum farming system for improving soil fertility, chose multiple varieties on their own terms. Four varieties of green gram were assessed for their suitability as intercrop in sorghum fields. The farmers, especially women, analysed the varieties not only for soil fertility, but also for yield, income, taste and keeping quality of greengram after cooking. They finally chose one variety for market and another for consumption. The paper provides evidences of useful experiences to the government for accepting, adopting, and institutionalizing participatory extension approaches for effectively working towards sustainable agriculture. Top Keywords Participatory Technology Development, LEISA, dry land agriculture, soil fertility, livelihoods. Top |