Group Innovation in Utilizing Land and Water Resources in Rwandan Valleys

Abstract

"A variety of methods have emerged in recent years that seek to draw upon farmers' knowledge, insights and innovative capacity in the identification and selection of agricultural technologies. However, the focus of research has generally been on innovations that are feasible for individuals acting alone. Few accounts describe the development of alternatives where potential benefits depend critically on the area over which they are practised or on the number of farmers adopting them. Exceptions can be found in the domains of irrigation management and wide-area pest management, but in these cases farmer groups have most often been involved in the planning and implementation of pilot projects at a production scale, rather than in selecting among and testing technical options. This paper describes the process and results of research, with groups of small-scale farmers, on sustainable irrigated agricultural alternatives for highland valleys in Rwanda."