Identifying Potential for Decision Support Tools through Farm Systems Typology Analysis Coupled with Participatory Research: A Case for Smallholder Farmers in Myanmar
Decision Support Tools (DSTs) in agriculture have been widely developed but have not been well accepted by smallholder farmers. One reason for the limited use is that the tools do not account for the complexity of heterogeneous smallholder farming systems. Identifying farm typologies has facilitated...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-06-01
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| Series: | Agriculture |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/11/6/516 |
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| author | So Pyay Thar Thiagarajah Ramilan Robert J. Farquharson Deli Chen |
| author_facet | So Pyay Thar Thiagarajah Ramilan Robert J. Farquharson Deli Chen |
| author_sort | So Pyay Thar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Decision Support Tools (DSTs) in agriculture have been widely developed but have not been well accepted by smallholder farmers. One reason for the limited use is that the tools do not account for the complexity of heterogeneous smallholder farming systems. Identifying farm typologies has facilitated technology transfer to target groups of farmers. Accounting for heterogeneity in farm systems can help in designing and deploying DSTs to address farmer needs. Typology analysis was applied to a 600-household survey dataset to identify different farm system types. Qualitative participatory research was used to assess the potential deployment of DSTs for fertilizer management. Six types of farm systems were identified with distinct characteristics in the study area of central Myanmar. Participatory research through focus group discussions with 34 participants from the six different farm types validated the farm typologies and found that farmers from one type considered that DSTs could be useful in gaining more information and knowledge. An important finding was that DSTs providing prescriptive advice were inconsistent with what many farmers want. Farmers indicated that discussion groups are a preferred learning-based approach rather than a prescriptive tool. Farmers preferred video clips and infographics integrated into existing familiar digital platforms. This study identifies heterogeneity within a large farm sample and develops a deeper understanding of fertilizer decisions as well as knowledge and intentions related to the use of DSTs or apps via follow-up focus group discussions. Incorporating a participatory research framework with typology identification can have a beneficial role in direct interactions with smallholders that may increase their acceptability of DSTs. This study has generated valuable information about farmer types and serves as a starting point for developing a framework for discussion support systems that may better relate to the needs of farmers. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:46:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5465a04fa9d3473f8412e6bf7758c7c7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-0472 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:46:45Z |
| publishDate | 2021-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agriculture |
| spelling | doaj.art-5465a04fa9d3473f8412e6bf7758c7c72023-11-21T22:33:37ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722021-06-0111651610.3390/agriculture11060516Identifying Potential for Decision Support Tools through Farm Systems Typology Analysis Coupled with Participatory Research: A Case for Smallholder Farmers in MyanmarSo Pyay Thar0Thiagarajah Ramilan1Robert J. Farquharson2Deli Chen3School of Agriculture and Food, Parkville Campus, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, AustraliaSchool of Agriculture and Food, Parkville Campus, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, AustraliaSchool of Agriculture and Food, Parkville Campus, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, AustraliaSchool of Agriculture and Food, Parkville Campus, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, AustraliaDecision Support Tools (DSTs) in agriculture have been widely developed but have not been well accepted by smallholder farmers. One reason for the limited use is that the tools do not account for the complexity of heterogeneous smallholder farming systems. Identifying farm typologies has facilitated technology transfer to target groups of farmers. Accounting for heterogeneity in farm systems can help in designing and deploying DSTs to address farmer needs. Typology analysis was applied to a 600-household survey dataset to identify different farm system types. Qualitative participatory research was used to assess the potential deployment of DSTs for fertilizer management. Six types of farm systems were identified with distinct characteristics in the study area of central Myanmar. Participatory research through focus group discussions with 34 participants from the six different farm types validated the farm typologies and found that farmers from one type considered that DSTs could be useful in gaining more information and knowledge. An important finding was that DSTs providing prescriptive advice were inconsistent with what many farmers want. Farmers indicated that discussion groups are a preferred learning-based approach rather than a prescriptive tool. Farmers preferred video clips and infographics integrated into existing familiar digital platforms. This study identifies heterogeneity within a large farm sample and develops a deeper understanding of fertilizer decisions as well as knowledge and intentions related to the use of DSTs or apps via follow-up focus group discussions. Incorporating a participatory research framework with typology identification can have a beneficial role in direct interactions with smallholders that may increase their acceptability of DSTs. This study has generated valuable information about farmer types and serves as a starting point for developing a framework for discussion support systems that may better relate to the needs of farmers.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/11/6/516decision support toolstypologyparticipatory researchfocus group discussionsmallholderMyanmar |
| spellingShingle | So Pyay Thar Thiagarajah Ramilan Robert J. Farquharson Deli Chen Identifying Potential for Decision Support Tools through Farm Systems Typology Analysis Coupled with Participatory Research: A Case for Smallholder Farmers in Myanmar Agriculture decision support tools typology participatory research focus group discussion smallholder Myanmar |
| title | Identifying Potential for Decision Support Tools through Farm Systems Typology Analysis Coupled with Participatory Research: A Case for Smallholder Farmers in Myanmar |
| title_full | Identifying Potential for Decision Support Tools through Farm Systems Typology Analysis Coupled with Participatory Research: A Case for Smallholder Farmers in Myanmar |
| title_fullStr | Identifying Potential for Decision Support Tools through Farm Systems Typology Analysis Coupled with Participatory Research: A Case for Smallholder Farmers in Myanmar |
| title_full_unstemmed | Identifying Potential for Decision Support Tools through Farm Systems Typology Analysis Coupled with Participatory Research: A Case for Smallholder Farmers in Myanmar |
| title_short | Identifying Potential for Decision Support Tools through Farm Systems Typology Analysis Coupled with Participatory Research: A Case for Smallholder Farmers in Myanmar |
| title_sort | identifying potential for decision support tools through farm systems typology analysis coupled with participatory research a case for smallholder farmers in myanmar |
| topic | decision support tools typology participatory research focus group discussion smallholder Myanmar |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/11/6/516 |
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