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This paper presents the findings of a short qualitative study. It showed that pilot cowpea Farmer Field Schools (FFS) in Benin were a vital source of new skills and information, integrating a number of existing knowledge sharing networks of rural men and women.

Eight researchers from Ghana and Benin, with different backgrounds but all co-operating within the Convergence of Sciences project, conducted diagnostic studies as a first step of their research aimed at developing technologies together with resource-poor farmers. The purpose of including diagnostic studies was to increase the likelihood that the resulting [...]

The article is an introduction to a series of articles about diagnostic studies carried out by eight PhD students in Ghana and Benin. These studies form a prelude to their experimental action research with groups of farmers to develop technologies that work in local conditions and are acceptable to farmers. A [...]

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the introduction of the FFS approach to Africa and, through use of case study material, to highlight some of the successes achieved and difficulties encountered in the expanding use of the approach. Following a brief look at some of [...]

This thesis will deal with the issue of low adoption rates regarding improved agricultural technology by vulnerable farmers; the barriers and constraints to adoption; and on how to reach an understanding of how to reduce or mitigate such constraints. The thesis will apply a general theoretical discussion of the theories on food security and [...]