Client-orientation in vertisols management program of the Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization

Client-Oriented Research (COR) is not a new approach to agricultural research, but a combination of existing tools, techniques and methods, which increase the involvement of various stakeholders in the testing and adoption of technology to local needs and conditions. This increased demand-drivenness has to lead to improved output-orentation and targeting of research, which is even more important given the long-term perspective of natural resource management. The numerous papers presented during this symposium in addition to presentations in previous symposia on vertisol management in Ethiopia (1992, 2000) present a wealth of information on options and opportunities for vertisol management in the highlands of Ethiopia. This information has been generated by EARO, ILRI and ICRISAT in close collaboration with other stakeholders and notably farmers through Farmer Research Groups in Chefe Donsa and Ginchi. The group approach is considered essential in natural resource management not only for reasons of addressing communal issues, as well as for the expected at best gradual change. In spite of the progress made in terms of the client-orientation and demand drivenness of the program a number of suggestions can be made for improvement. A crucial element in a client-oriented policy is to involve stakeholders and notably farmers in all stages of the technology setting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and the dissemination and adoption phases. Examples of this have been indicated for all phases based on the presented papers, while recommendations for further improvement have been given. Completely analysed outputs (not only technical but also socio-economic and environmental) and targetting of research (flexible recommendations and options) remain a point of concern in the presented research and extension programs. Opportunities for further vertisol and watershed management technology development through client-orientation and demand drivenness have been identified.