What drives technical diffusion? World Bank STI Conference February 13 th 2007 Technology and users

What is EWB Canada? Global Citizens 25,000 members Engagement/ outreach Advocacy Rural Africa Technical Capacity Building Field realities to policy makers

Technology transforms.

What is the role of Processing Traditional Technology

What is the role of STI in helping the spread of appropriate technical solutions to these problems? New technology? Adoption?

What is the role of STI in helping the spread of appropriate technical solutions to these problems?

Why aren't technologies that would help Africans to reduce their vulnerability being adopted?

Less focus on technology More focus on the users

Functional Economic Social & Cultural Understanding Users’ needs and realities

1 Understanding cultural/social factors – a brick press

1. Understanding users’ functional realities – cassava plant

1. Understanding users’ functional realities

3. Understanding economics

End-User Manufacture Parts Inputs Fertilizer Seeds Herbicides Repair Markets Local/International Intermediaries Transport Marketing/Distribution Treadle Pump Value Chain

End-User Free goods destroys the value chain Treadle Pump Value Chain

Why is it difficult for development- driven technology to incorporate users’ context?

Functional Economic Social & Cultural Product Entrepreneur-driven process

Functional Economic Social & Cultural Positive Out- comes Development-driven process

Conservation Farming

Functional Economic Social & Cultural Positive Out- comes Departure from existing hand-hoeing, farmers perceive as risky complex Yield increases in years with little rain mean that farmers will likely give part of surplus to others in community “My fellow villagers believed that there is something wrong with me to dig holes in my fields… many mistook me for a hard hashish smoker. They believe my good harvest is by sheer good luck or witchcraft. Backbreaking to dig basins. This is supposed to decrease but not intuitive to farmers. Conservation farming is not as "prestigious" as using oxen. Conservation Farming challenges

Understand the users

Why do technologists not appreciate users?

The opportunity – better understanding of users

Donors NGOs supporting entrepreneurs Development workers Entrepreneurs People adopting new technologies and techniques 2 1

THANK YOU

Rural Transformation Farmers adopting new technologies such that:  Higher yields  Non-ag income  Markets to sell ad surplus  Kids go to school  Healthier, better housed  Etc.  Overall – LESS VULNERABLE Technical sector able to provide farmers services  Ag yeilds Biotech Inputs Irrigation  Processing/transforming  Storage  Transport  Housing/water  Etc.

“What can be done to encourage the spread of appropriate technical solutions to these problems?” Problem is lack of Technology – products and know-how? Problem is lack of technical products and services spreading?

Not much progress for Africa