Sociocultural factors in multiple cropping

to examine the effects of its programs on the lives of the people in target areas, and from funding in that year for social science research in agriculture, social scientists have been incorporated more fully into multiple cropping research programs. Difficulties in interdisciplinary communication between social and agricultural scientists have, admittedly, constrained their successful collaboration; these difficulties affect the definition of project objectives (should results be measured quantitatively or qualitatively?), of appropriate target groups, and of research methodologies. Nevertheless, this article makes a case for the role of the social scientist in research oriented toward the small farmer, arguing that the introduction of superior technologies alone is not enough to ensure project success; a number of cultural factors - psychological, institutional, and environmental - should be considered so that agricultural development can be seen in terms of its social as well as technological impact. Specific areas in which social science research is needed are identified to support the argument. A list of references (1911-84) is included.