by Bobbie Gerpacio and Prabhu Pingali
10-June-2009 SEARCA RDD News
This book examines future technological and policy prospects for the sustainable intensification of rainfed upland maize production in Asia, and derives R&D priorities for specific maize production environments and markets.
Photo caption here.
High on the list of
farmer constraints was drought, estimated to affect three production
environments that are home to about 48 million rural poor and produce
an estimated 16 million tons of maize, and others such as downy mildew,
stem borers, soil erosion/landslides, waterlogging, poor agricultural
extension/technology transfer services, and poor access to low-interest
credit and markets.Farmers felt that socioeconomic and policy-related
constraints impact maize productivity more than technical constraints
do.
It is important to recognize that technology is not the only key to
increasing productivity and bettering the conditions of marginal maize
farmers in Asia. There is a growing trend towards commercializing and
intensifying maize production that is different from the staple food
self-sufficiency paradigm that has been the cornerstone of agricultural
policy in most developing countries.
Appropriate government policies
could help alleviate the adverse consequences of commercialization and
promote sustainable intensification of maize production, especially in
marginal environments inhabited by resource-poor subsistence farmers. (Download the full material)
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Based on
Ms. Roberta V. Gerpacio's presentation of the same title during the Agriculture and Development Seminar Series held 9 June 2009. Ms. Gerpacio is currently Project Development Specialist at SEARCA's Research and Development Department.
