Identifying potential for decision support tools through farm systems typology analysis coupled with participatory research: A case for smallholder farmers in Myanmar

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dc.citation.issue6
dc.citation.volume11
dc.contributor.authorThar SP
dc.contributor.authorRamilan T
dc.contributor.authorFarquharson RJ
dc.contributor.authorChen D
dc.contributor.editorGröngröft A
dc.date.accessioned2024-04-17T03:20:08Z
dc.date.accessioned2024-07-25T06:51:59Z
dc.date.available2021-06-02
dc.date.available2024-04-17T03:20:08Z
dc.date.available2024-07-25T06:51:59Z
dc.date.issued2021-06-02
dc.description.abstractDecision 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.
dc.description.confidentialfalse
dc.edition.editionJun 2021
dc.identifier.author-urlhttp://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000665282200001&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=c5bb3b2499afac691c2e3c1a83ef6fef
dc.identifier.citationThar SP, Ramilan T, Farquharson RJ, Chen D. (2021). Identifying potential for decision support tools through farm systems typology analysis coupled with participatory research: A case for smallholder farmers in Myanmar. Agriculture (Switzerland). 11. 6.
dc.identifier.doi10.3390/agriculture11060516
dc.identifier.eissn2077-0472
dc.identifier.elements-typejournal-article
dc.identifier.numberARTN 516
dc.identifier.urihttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/71060
dc.languageEnglish
dc.publisherMDPI (Basel, Switzerland)
dc.publisher.urihttps://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/11/6/516
dc.relation.isPartOfAgriculture (Switzerland)
dc.rights(c) 2021 The Author/s
dc.rightsCC BY 4.0
dc.rights.urihttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.subjectdecision support tools
dc.subjecttypology
dc.subjectparticipatory research
dc.subjectfocus group discussion
dc.subjectsmallholder
dc.subjectMyanmar
dc.titleIdentifying potential for decision support tools through farm systems typology analysis coupled with participatory research: A case for smallholder farmers in Myanmar
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.elements-id447051
pubs.organisational-groupCollege of Health
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