Portfolio Theory of Technological Change: Reconceptualising Farming Systems Research

Abstract

"I argue in the paper that in high risk environments the high degree of ecological variability makes it well nigh impossible that traditional models of extension be used. In any case there is not much to transfer. At the same time farmers have been trying to survive in these regions some how. It is true that with worsening of prospects of their survival, their household portfolios have been shifted towards some of the environment degrading resource mix. Survival in the short term takes precedence over the long term sustainability of resources. It is for this reason I have argued that portfolio approach is necessary for developing a viable approach to fsr and extension in high risk regions."