Assessing the adoption potential of agroforestry practices in sub-Saharan Africa

This paper reviews the application of various types of on-farm trials and m ethods for collecting and analysing data needed to assess the adoption pote ntial of agroforestry practices. The review is based on farmers' and resear chers' experiences in seven case studies in three countries of sub-Saharan Africa assessing the biophysical performance, profitability and acceptabili ty of agroforestry practices. Assessments of adoption potential are key ele ments of a participatory, farmer-centered model of research and development . They improve the efficiency of the technology development and disseminati on process. help document the progress made in disseminating new practices, demonstrate the impact of investing in technology development, provide far mer feedback for improving research and extension programmes, and help to i dentify the policy and other factors contributing to successful technology development programmes as well as the constraints limiting the achievements . (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.