Research is an Essential Tool for Farmers

Research is an Essential Tool for Farmers

Researchers and extension officers from around the region met in Samoa last September to take part European Union funded conference organised by the Pacific Agricultural Policy Project (PAPP).

Among the guest speakers was FCLC’s Chairman Simon Cole who spoke about the link between farmers and research. Mr. Cole welcomed the opportunity to speak about a key goal of FCLC – to explain the business of Agriculture to all stakeholders.

In his speech he pointed out that so much research had been done but so little was available to farmers. It is important to apply research to be relevant to the issues in the field. He said and that not enough emphasis is placed on a cost benefit analysis of the research done.

The conference adopted key points to be introduced into the research program. This included making available an inventory of historical research, work on the inclusion of local ingredients in livestock feeds, trialing of crosses of local and improved breeds as well as the development of cereal crop programs.

Additionally the benefits of weed control and rotation needs to be examined; the development of record keeping systems for non-record keeping farmers; recognition of the fact that gross margin analysis is too simple when asking a farmer to commit resources; research into how our notoriously thin markets function particularly where traditional “Magiti” markets define production and a focus on farm based applied research with a view to determining the cost benefit to the farmer.

“This was an amazing opportunity to meet so many key people in the region and be able to put the voice of the farmers into their deliberations.

ENDS

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