Constructing community fuzzy cognitive maps to promote adoption of conservation agricultural production practices

TR Number
Date
2011
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Honolulu HI: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management
Abstract

FCM was used to identify and map the factors involved in decision-making regarding the adoption of conservation agricultural practices in three villages in Central Nepal. Face-to-face interviews with farmers were conducted to develop an initial list of relevant factors, followed by extensive surveys conducted with both farmers and in-country NGO staff and researchers to develop the “mental models” used by these groups to guide decision-making. Mental models of the groups were quantitatively compared to determine differences between stakeholder groups. The results show significant differences between farmers and experts, as well as between villages. Such variation in the perception of agricultural practices can be attributed to differences in formal training, farming experience, soil conditions and culture. This research can be applied to improve understanding of cultural decision-making and values for improved transfer of sustainable agricultural technologies.

Description
Keywords
Conservation agriculture, Indigenous community, Food security, Modeling, Poverty, Sustainable agriculture, Traditional farming, Universities, Survey research methods, Adoption of innovations, Conservation agriculture, cognitive maps, adoption of farming,modeling, Pokhara, Nepal, Conservation Agriculture Production Systems, CAPS, Farm/Enterprise Scale
Citation
Published at the proceedings of the 22nd Annual International Food and Agribusiness Management Association World Forum and Symposium, Shanghai, China, 11-14 June 2012