CARDI : farming systems research and development

CARDI, with assistance from a U.S. contractor and host country teams, will implement the project, which focuses on technology generation and transfer and CARDI institutional development. Building on potential identified in the Small Farm Multiple Cropping Systems Project, CARDI in-country teams, using a refined FSR methodology based on technology screening, on-farm testing and validation, and applicability testing on other farms, will generate at least 42 economically viable technological improvements in selected crops and livestock and their combinations. A Technological Improvement File will be developed to organize the steps of on-farm research. Country-specific research priorities are noted in the Project Paper, as are subsidiary research activities which CARDI will undertake during the project. CARDI will also work with public and private extension organizations, especially the Caribbean Agricultural Extension (CAEP) and participating Ministries of Agriculture (MOA) personnel, to develop a joint and systematic approach to transfer improved technologies throughout the region via the FSR method. Extensionists will work with CARDI teams at the technology generation phase and will assume a supervisory role at the applicability testing phase; at least five such tests per island are planned by the project"s final year. Extensionists will conduct mass campaigns to transfer successful technologies. FSR training to be provided by CARDI includes workshops and on-the-job training for at least 25% and 50% of participating extensionists and MOA research personnel, respectively, and seminars (and some short-term U.S. technical training) for at least 75% of its staff. Finally, CARDI will be strengthened institutionally by the establishment of effective financial, planning, reporting, and evaluation procedures; project-related administration and management systems; and a Research Advisory Board to guide long-term research and promote staff professionalism.