Causes and implications of the slow pace of technology transfer and adoption in rural agriculture

Abstract

The major problem facing most developing countries today is the need to transform their agricultural industries from one depending on traditional inputs with low productivity to one based on modern input with higher productivity. The study was set up to examine the causes and implication of slow pace of technology transfer and adoption in rural agriculture. Based on this major objective, the paper among other specific objectives, examines the role of extension agent in technology transfer and adoption, identify factor militating against technology transfer and adoption, unveil the implication and proffer appropriate strategies and recommendation. The causes of slow pace of technology transfer and adoption were identified to include ineffectiveness of extension delivery system, lack of adequate liaison between extension and research, lack of trained personnel both in quantity and quality, inadequate financial support, complexity of the new technology, incompatibility, in relation to the existing ones, high coat Of adopting the new technology among others. The slow pace of technology transfer and adoption were also found to have negative implication in rural agriculture and the nation’s economy as a whole because of the resultant low agricultural productivity. Based on these, the paper therefore concluded by recommending that Agricultural Extension Research Liaison service (AERLS) should be established, provision should be made for the expansion of man—power training facilities, high priority should be given to the development of appropriate innovation and technology that must be economically viable, culturally compatible etc. Hence this paper posit that, if all these are implemented the ugly trend would be reverse for the better.

Key words: slow pace, technology transfer, adoption, rural agriculture