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Field Trials - their importance to agriculture in emerging economies Lars Byrdal Kjær Head of Department for Field Trials and Statistics AgroTech. 1 field trial is better than 1000 assumptions. Indicators on agricultural input. Land preparation in Africa: 89 % worked manually
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Field Trials- their importance to agriculture in emerging economiesLars Byrdal KjærHead of Department for Field Trials and StatisticsAgroTech
Land preparation in Africa: • 89 % worked manually • 1 % worked mechanically • 10 % worked by animal traction
Serious problems / hugechallenges • Investment in research and development in developing countries, particular Sub-Saharan Africa, is decreasing. • The richest countries are shifting their focus away from developing productivity enhancing technologies towards biomass production, animal welfare issues and environment. As a result, the technological spillover will decrease leaving the poorest countries in a vacuum.
Research and development as well as farmers and advisory organizations are not structured adequately. • The infrastructure impedes the development and spread of new technologies. • Trade barriers hinder the export of agricultural goods from poor countries to rich countries.
The single most important factor that will increase food productivity is to increase investments in research and field trials.
New farming systems • Growth assurance; sustain soil fertility; fairly high yield; input of fertilizer and pesticides; GMO • Development of new equipment and machinery • Screening of varieties and development of new varieties with better traits
Low input of equipment and money • High input of manpower • Early involvement of role-model farmers • Feedback to research