what drives technical diffusion? world bank sti conference february 13 th 2007 technology and users

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