Good question ...

This came across the wire from the pond and was worth repeating:

Carl-

Did this publication cross your radar? I just started skimming it and it seems interesting.

Also, I tried posting a question on your blog this morning but it didn't seem to want to accept it. What I wanted to ask was how you selected those two experimental crops, the velvet bean and the leucaena, if locals aren't using it. Just curious.

Everything here is just fine. R and C finished up last week, N is next Tuesday, and I'm on deck on June 16. I need to start writing!

Keep up the good work my friend. I read every word.

M


The answer (not to how to post a question, God knows, I just type at this thing) is that velvet bean and leucaena grow here in Senanga, whereas other agroforestry species (tephrosia, pigeon pea, gliricidia) are rare or unknown. However, there appears to be no rhyme or reason as to why they are here; my guess is sometime back (the Zamlish way of saying "the past"), someone planted leucaena and velvet, and they spread by accident more than anything. It's not like they are endemic; nature here is so full that there is little space for new species. In the case of the leucaena, humans usually remove them unless they are along a fence or the seeds, once laying on the ground, are devoured by bruichidae before they can germinate. In the case of velvet, they spread a bit easier and are more resistant to insects, but cows seem to like the seeds (along with nearly everything else ... so much for residue retention), so they are a bit hampered. ANYWAY ... because they are here, they satisfy three big requirements:

1. You know they can grow here, whereas other species are a big question mark in this sand.
2. You can get seeds easily enough that are suited to the local environment.
3. You can point at them when describing them to farmers who may of heard of the plant names but have no visual reference for what they are. Sight and touch are amazingly necessary for promotion.

That said, that is not even the opening skirmish of the battle when it comes to promoting a "new"species; you need to demonstrate it, pilot it, constantly work out the kinks, make it part of the farm holon (i.e., don't rock the boat too hard at first), and then do a "wait-and-see" to ascertain whether people adopt the idea.

I'll save the adoption jeremiad for another day (tomorrow or Thursday), but suffice it to say that it is never what it seems. Leucaena and velvet are, in essence, our flinging noodles at the wall to see if they stick. What we try to avoid is Oscar Madison's treatment of Felix Ungar's spaghetti.

All the best.