ABSTRACT
Until recently, the transfer of technology (TOT) model of agricultural research has been the typical and dominant research paradigm of both national and international agricultural research institutions worldwide. Participatory technology development (PTD) is a radical new approach that emphasizes the central role of farmers. A generic sequence of activities for PTD is presented, based on the experience of the International Board for Soil Research and Management (IBSRAM) with soil management networks. This includes: forming an interdisciplinary team, site and group selection, participatory analysis of farming systems, setting up a stakeholder forum, developing a research agenda, on-farm experimentation, participatory evaluation, and technology dissemination.
