Report of a review of on-farm research in Swaziland: 1982-1988

Abstract

The critical constraints to increasing the incomes of Swazi Nation Land farmers has been the lack of research recommendations relevant to their farming context. It was necessary that researchers be reoriented to produce relevant recommendations. the extension service be strengthened to more effectively disseminate research recommendations and that an agricultural information system be established to support both research and extension. It was with the above points in mind that the Government of Swaziland with the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), The Pennsylvania State University and Tennessee State University initiated the Cropping Systems Research and Extension Training Project in 1982. The objective of this workshop was to review the work that has been completed since 1982. show how the on-farm research is conducted, present research results. demonstrate how extension can use these results and evaluate the suitability of the farming systems research approach for Swaziland. It was gratifying to note that both Research and Extension personnel were aware that the success of the farming systems approach in the country will be dependent on the involvement in each others programmes and continual communication and cooperation between them.