Participatory technology development in corn-based farming system: a case in the Philippines

One of the key concerns of the farming systems approach to research and development (R&D) is to understand farmers' priorities, strategies, their resource allocation, and the biophysical and socio-economic environments under which the farm household operates. In using this approach, it is hoped that enough insights will be gained for participatory R&D efforts to enhance generation and farmer adoption of appropriate technologies. A series of on-farm research and outreach (OFRO) projects conducted from 1991 to 2000, covering 13 sites in 11 provinces, provide useful case studies on the utility of the on-farm research methodology as a tool not only for research but also for effective technology transfer. The paper reports on six project components being implemented simultaneously with collaborative efforts of the University of the Philippines Los Banos, University of Southern Mindanao, Leyte State University, the Regional Integrated Agricultural Research Centers of the Department of Agriculture, and the local government units in Occidental Mindoro, Camarines Sur, Leyte, Bohol, Misamis Oriental, and Cotabato. The OFRO is the main strategy used for selected corn-based farming areas in the Philippines. The results of the PRAS provided substantial information that served as basis for the design of possible interventions to improve the existing farming systems. Characterization of the areas also revealed similarities and uniqueness in the communities' biophysical and socio-economic circumstances. These became the bases for the adaptation of technologies through on-farm trials. Results showed impacts arising from the participatory approach used by the project. Further, there were a number of lessons gained. Issues and concerns, data gaps, and researchable areas were also identified and proposed to be given attention in future undertakings. A view of the problem-cause analysis is shown; likewise, the proposed intervention framework from pre-production to marketing is presented-all for Barangay [village] Poblacion, Arakan, Cotabato