Abstract
This paper attempts to the analyse conditions and problems of the national agricultural extension system immediately after the establishment of the agricultural technology transfer system in developing countries.
The study carried out in P.D.R.L. covered the following items.
1. Conditions of technology (including government) and problems of the organizations in charge of the transfer.
2. Conditions and problems pertaining to the reaction of the farmers to the transfer of technology.
3. Technologies to be transferred, method and results of transfer.
By examining the condtions of the technology transfer system in P.D.R.L., the following problems and characteristics were identified.
Lack of manpower, equipment and poor organization of the transfer system (including research and experimental work) are problems faced by the organizations in charge (government, etc.) . Reluctance to adopt new technologies, lack of economic, intellectual and technical capacity are problems faced by the farmers. The technologies to be transferred aim at the increase of quantity (not at quality improvement), of the staple crop (rice) as well as at low cost, and simple use. The transfer on an individual basis is direct and the method applied consists of demonstrations to farmers.
The following conclusion can be drawn. To address those problems, it may be useful to apply some of the methods used at the early stage of establishment of the extension system in Japan including the organization of mobile classes/training courses for farmers, exhibitions of farm products, and exchange of seeds, seedlings, tools and livestock which may lead to the development of new crop varieties, machines, animal breeds, etc.
It is considered that thses findings may be useful for the promotion of international cooperation by Japan in future.
