what drives technical diffusion? world bank sti conference february 13 th 2007 technology and users
TRANSCRIPT
What drives technical What drives technical diffusion?diffusion?
World Bank STI Conference
February 13th 2007
Technology and Technology and usersusers
What is EWB Canada?What is EWB Canada?• Global Citizens• 25,000 members• Engagement/
outreach• Advocacy
• Rural Africa• Technical Capacity
Building• Field realities to
policy makers
TechnologyTechnologytransforms.transforms.
What is the role of
ProcessingProcessing
Traditional Technology
What is the role of STI in helping What is the role of STI in helping the spread of appropriate the spread of appropriate technical solutions to these technical solutions to these problems?problems?
New technology? Adoption?
What is the role of STI in helping What is the role of STI in helping the spread of appropriate the spread of appropriate technical solutions to these technical solutions to these problems?problems?
What is the role of STI in helping What is the role of STI in helping the spread of appropriate the spread of appropriate technical solutions to these technical solutions to these problems?problems?
Why aren't technologies that Why aren't technologies that would help Africans to reduce would help Africans to reduce
their vulnerability being adopted?their vulnerability being adopted?
Less focus on technologyLess focus on technologyMore focus on the usersMore focus on the users
Functional
EconomicSocial &Cultural
Understanding Users’ needs and Understanding Users’ needs and realitiesrealities
1 1 Understanding Understanding cultural/social cultural/social factors – a brick factors – a brick presspress
Functional
EconomicSocial &Cultural
1.1. Understanding users’ Understanding users’ functional realities – functional realities – cassavacassavaplantplant
Functional
EconomicSocial &Cultural
1.1. Understanding users’ Understanding users’ functional realitiesfunctional realities
Functional
EconomicSocial &Cultural
3.3. Understanding economics Understanding economicsFunctional
EconomicSocial &Cultural
End-UserEnd-User
ManufactureManufacture
PartsParts
InputsInputs• Fertilizer• Seeds• Herbicides
RepairRepair
MarketsMarkets• Local/International• Intermediaries• Transport
Marketing/Marketing/DistributionDistribution
Treadle Pump Value ChainTreadle Pump Value Chain
Treadle Pump Value Chain
Functional
EconomicSocial &Cultural
End-UserEnd-User
Free goods Free goods destroys the destroys the value chainvalue chain
Treadle Pump Value Chain
Functional
EconomicSocial &Cultural
Why is it difficult for development-Why is it difficult for development-driven technology to incorporate driven technology to incorporate users’ context?users’ context?
Functional
EconomicSocial &Cultural
Product
Entrepreneur-driven process
Functional
EconomicSocial &Cultural
PositiveOut-
comes
Development-driven process
Conservation FarmingConservation Farming
Functional
EconomicSocial &Cultural
PositiveOut-
comes
• Departure from existing hand-hoeing, farmers perceive as risky•complex
Yield increases in years with little rain mean that farmers will likely give part of surplus to others in community
“My fellow villagers believed that there is something wrong with me to dig holes in my fields… many mistook me for a hard hashish smoker. They believe my good harvest is by sheer good luck or witchcraft.
Backbreaking to dig basins. This is supposed to decrease but not intuitive to farmers.
Conservation farming is not as "prestigious" as using oxen.
Conservation Farming challenges
Understand the usersUnderstand the users
Why do technologists not Why do technologists not appreciate users?appreciate users?
The opportunity – better The opportunity – better understanding of usersunderstanding of users
The opportunity – better The opportunity – better understanding of usersunderstanding of users
Donors
NGOs supporting entrepreneurs
Development workersEntrepreneurs
People adopting new technologies
and techniques
2
1
THANK YOUTHANK YOU
Rural TransformationRural Transformation
Farmers adopting new technologies such that: Higher yields Non-ag income Markets to sell ad surplus Kids go to school Healthier, better housed Etc. Overall – LESS
VULNERABLE
Technical sector able to provide farmers services Ag yeilds
Biotech Inputs Irrigation
Processing/transforming Storage Transport Housing/water Etc.
““What can be done to encourage What can be done to encourage the spread of appropriate the spread of appropriate technical solutions to these technical solutions to these problems?”problems?”
Problem is lack of Technology – products and know-how?
Problem is lack of technical products and services spreading?
Functional
EconomicSocial &Cultural
Functional
EconomicSocial &Cultural
Functional
EconomicSocial &Cultural
Not much progress for AfricaNot much progress for Africa