Some problems in the implementation of agricultural research projects with a farming systems perspective

To avoid problems at the design stage, national, donor, and contract personnel must understand the nature of FSR and their respective roles in the FSR project. At the start-up stage, it is essential to set up suitable administrative procedures and support systems, ensure interagency linkages within national programs, and bring together FSR teams and initiate a relevant and effective work program. During implementation, the key needs are to produce useful results and to institutionalize the FSR process within a national setting. The former depends mostly on the dissemination of improved and farmer-acceptable technologies, the use of proper data collection and analysis techniques, and the FSR team"s adaptability to unexpected events. The likelihood of institutionalizing FSR depends on the project"s credibility, the availability of trained and motivated nationals to continue the work, and the ability to produce results with a minimum of research resources. Also required is a conscious effort early on to integrate the project with other groups and projects within the country setting.