on average, the collaborating farmers did not learn significantly more than the
non-collaborating farmers (Acharya 2011; Hoffmann et al. 2009).
This is remarkable given the fact that in general it was observed that many Black
Thai farmers showed great interest in making improvements to their aquaculture
practices, though these were generally the few better-off and higher educated
farmers, those who might also be considered “local innovators”. The interest of
these farmers was especially attracted to the feed production machines and the
technologies used for introducing the intensive production of high-priced aquaculture species, as shown and advertised on TV and applied by lowland fish farmers.
Several better-off farmers showed great willingness to invest in the improved
aquaculture by, for example, digging new ponds, integrating earthworm culture
into their farming system and/or by buying feed processing machines. In the past,
farmers adapted rapidly to changes in local markets and adopted ‘cutting edge’
technologies aimed at intensifying single farming activities (e.g., hybrid maize
varieties, paddy rice and the use of pesticides). These innovations were promoted
by governmental agencies and farmers changed their farming systems towards less
integrated and less sustainable farming ventures, adopting farming activities more
likely to give higher levels of food security and greater financial benefits (Friederichsen
2008). Without governmental programs in place, only the better educated and financially well-situated farmers might be expected to further invest in aquaculture and
become the precursors of innovation. It is hoped that the introduction of new machines
into rural markets may promote this development.
8.6.1 Recommendations for Future Innovation Dissemination
In summary, better-off and more educated farmers in the study area are more likely
to introduce improvements and invest in aquaculture in the future, and as a
consequence, the introduction of aquaculture innovations must be accompanied
by adequate education programs, those well adapted to the local context and aimed
at farmers who are interested in changing their aquaculture practices into more
beneficial farming activities. As well as educating the ordinary aquaculture farmer,
such initiatives would increase the knowledge base of local innovators, who could
then adopt an even stronger role as exemplary models for other farmers. Ongoing
soil degradation might increase the willingness of farmers to change their current
farming systems and may guide them towards greater investment in aquaculture as
an alternative and relatively land independent farming activity. Catastrophes such
as plagues, floods and droughts may also increase the willingness of farmers to
invest in new farming ventures in the future.
In order to promote local aquaculture and enable its development in the medium
term, an adequate supply of fingerlings of the cultured species, raised under modern
and hygienic management systems, must be assured and trading access given to
essential resources and products. Once an innovation is adapted to local conditions
and widely introduced into a rural area, a strong information and extension effort
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J. Pucher et al.
non-collaborating farmers (Acharya 2011; Hoffmann et al. 2009).
This is remarkable given the fact that in general it was observed that many Black
Thai farmers showed great interest in making improvements to their aquaculture
practices, though these were generally the few better-off and higher educated
farmers, those who might also be considered “local innovators”. The interest of
these farmers was especially attracted to the feed production machines and the
technologies used for introducing the intensive production of high-priced aquaculture species, as shown and advertised on TV and applied by lowland fish farmers.
Several better-off farmers showed great willingness to invest in the improved
aquaculture by, for example, digging new ponds, integrating earthworm culture
into their farming system and/or by buying feed processing machines. In the past,
farmers adapted rapidly to changes in local markets and adopted ‘cutting edge’
technologies aimed at intensifying single farming activities (e.g., hybrid maize
varieties, paddy rice and the use of pesticides). These innovations were promoted
by governmental agencies and farmers changed their farming systems towards less
integrated and less sustainable farming ventures, adopting farming activities more
likely to give higher levels of food security and greater financial benefits (Friederichsen
2008). Without governmental programs in place, only the better educated and financially well-situated farmers might be expected to further invest in aquaculture and
become the precursors of innovation. It is hoped that the introduction of new machines
into rural markets may promote this development.
8.6.1 Recommendations for Future Innovation Dissemination
In summary, better-off and more educated farmers in the study area are more likely
to introduce improvements and invest in aquaculture in the future, and as a
consequence, the introduction of aquaculture innovations must be accompanied
by adequate education programs, those well adapted to the local context and aimed
at farmers who are interested in changing their aquaculture practices into more
beneficial farming activities. As well as educating the ordinary aquaculture farmer,
such initiatives would increase the knowledge base of local innovators, who could
then adopt an even stronger role as exemplary models for other farmers. Ongoing
soil degradation might increase the willingness of farmers to change their current
farming systems and may guide them towards greater investment in aquaculture as
an alternative and relatively land independent farming activity. Catastrophes such
as plagues, floods and droughts may also increase the willingness of farmers to
invest in new farming ventures in the future.
In order to promote local aquaculture and enable its development in the medium
term, an adequate supply of fingerlings of the cultured species, raised under modern
and hygienic management systems, must be assured and trading access given to
essential resources and products. Once an innovation is adapted to local conditions
and widely introduced into a rural area, a strong information and extension effort
306
J. Pucher et al.