Knowledge for Development

Interaction patterns determining improved information and knowledge sharing among smallholder farmers

Author:

Date: 10/12/2013

Introduction:

In this paper, Tinashe Mashavave at the Department of Soil Science & Agricultural Engineering, University of Zimbabwe, and colleagues, explore the potential value of social interactions between smallholder farmers in improving integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) information and knowledge access and sharing, in the context of field-based learning alliances. Their study reveals that smallholder farmers within learning alliances had a denser network structure of social interactions. The magnitude of communication efficiency was generally higher for learning alliance participants than non-participants. Field-based learning alliances facilitated improved social interactions, subsequently shortening the innovation dissemination horizon and hence increasing the likelihood of ISFM adoption.    

http://purl.umn.edu/156980   

(African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 07/2013) 

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