Appendix 9

Example of CAT Participation in On-Farm Research

A description is given here of the organization of on-farm R&D by Clubes Amigos da Terra (CATs)

Objectives:

1. Locally adjusted technologies.
2. Large scale validation of small plot results.
3. Integration of all actors in R&D with farmers.
4. Technical, physical, and material support to research, extension and producers.
5. Installation of 10 field trials per year.

Period of execution: indeterminate

Collaborating agencies:

CAT, ZTAT, regional research foundation and federal/state research services.

Sponsors: 12 farm input suppliers

Organization:

Administration:

• Contract between CAT and research foundation.

Free result dissemination:

• Monthly CAT meetings
• Farmer-to-farmer
• Technical reps and farmers
• ZTAT quarterly bulletin
• Press and TV

Representation:

• 60 CAT members on 43,000 ha

Financial support:

• 12 companies
• Total US$ 24,000/yr
• Right to 1 field day/yr
• Free publicity
• Memberships fee: US$ 5.0 x 60 = US$ 3,000

Modus operandi - Stage 1:

• Meeting to identify limiting factors:
• Farmers
• Researchers
• Independent agronomists
• Extensionists
• Synthesis + prioritization
• Preliminary R&D designs (involving agronomists, researchers, extensionists)
• Discussion of preliminary designs
• Final adjustments (farmers with technicians)

Modus Operandi - Stage 2:

• Final R&D design
• Farm site selection: 10 trial designs and 20 farm sites (average of 2 trials per farm)
• Presentation to agribusiness companies for sponsorship - limit 12 companies.
• Execution of trials:
• Farmer's own machinery
• Supervised by researchers
• Execution/supervision by independent agronomists or extensionists

Modus Operandi - Stage 3:

• Data collection:
• Agronomists and researchers
• Weighing by big bags hauled to truck scale or instrumented combine borrowed from seed firm research unit
• Evaluation of results with all stakeholders

Output:

• Locally adjusted technology recommendations
• Research publications

Results:

1. Private sector agribusiness support because the programme attends to farmers' demands
2. Researchers have fund for on-farm R&D
3. Better technology
4. Improved technical management capacity of farmers
5. Rationalization of technical sales for agribusiness

Guiding Principle:

The farmer is the best research assistant ever:

• Good observer
• Always present in the field
• Immediate profit evaluation
• Free communication