5 



utilized by an increasing ninnber of researchers (8, 23, 69, 77, 81, 97). 



An interdisciplinary research team is a prerequisite in develop- 

 ing cropping system programs (48, 77, 79, 118, 119). Based on assess- 

 ment of factors that limit production and farm income, the researchable 

 parts of problems are identified. Research workers from different 

 disciplines and farmers agree on researchable problems followed by a 

 combined and joint research effort. In this approach, everyone in the 

 team works and makes decisions together on a regular basis. These 

 farming research teajns are often composed of an agronomist, economist, 

 and anthropologist or sociologist (3I, 69, 77, 80). The entire T,eam 

 often conducts a survey to understand and interpret the small farmers' 

 agro-socic-economic conditions. Each member of the team interviews 

 the farmer to reduce inter/iewer bias and increase cross-disciplinary 

 exchange. The group meets each night to discuss the day's interview. 



The farmer participation approach in testing appropriate tech- 

 nologies in on-farm research is essential in cropping systems studies 

 (8, 54, 69, 30, 145). On-farm trials caji reduce perceived risk by 

 allowing farmers to observe the tecrjiology under the rigors of their 

 production environment. Farmers can express their opinions and criti- 

 cisms during the- early stage of research process so that technology 

 is culturally, economically, and biologically viable. The communica- 

 tion between the fazmer -participant and researcher permits smaJ.l-scale 

 fajrmers to become part of the research process arid insures that the 

 technology is appropriate (69, 118, II9). 



Most studies using the farmer participation approach are asso- 

 ciated with small farm development projects whose objectives are to 



