Beginning in 1983, the Rwanda National Fish Culture Project assisted farmers to upgrade their ponds and also identified and provided a species of tilapia suitable for the high-elevation, cool-water environment. Important questions pertain to the amount and quality of technical assistance farmers received, the degree to which farmers adopted the technical package extended to them, and the existence of various signs and conditions that signaled to them, and the existence of various signs and conditions that signaled the incorporation of fish culture into the cycle and mosaic of farm activity. Data were obtained from a sample of 186 Rwandan farmers taken from project rolls throughout the nation. Most respondents planned new ponds; most felt capable of doing without extension assistance; and very few reported conflicts with other enterprises. When extensionists visited more frequently, farmers attended to their ponds more frequently. Wealthier farmers were less happy with the technical assistance they received. Women gave the male extension representatives lower helpfulness ratings. The results showed the advanced degree to which farmers have grasped the technical aspects of fish culture and their relatively favorable perceptions of the extension assistance.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Molnar et al. (1991) studied this question.