Description

Abstract: Although most aspects of agricultural research have enjoyed a long history and the knowledge base is quite extensive, aquaculture is a relatively new science that still stands to gain considerably from research and development efforts (Shell, 1993). Even though the scientific information base dates back only about 25 years, there is much more information available than is being effectively diffused to prospective clients (Shell, 1993).

Collaborative Research Support Programs (CRSPs) focus on removing constraints to production through the development of technology and rely heavily on other agents and vehicles to disseminate the technologies. Clients of information emanating from the PD/A CRSP are farmers, educators, and other researchers, public policy makers, loan officers, and investors. Vehicles for transmitting the information vary with the client. As with most research programs, it is easiest to detect the products of research in the form of publications in scientific journals, theses, annual reports, and other research reports. Therefore, other researchers and, to a lesser extent, educators and policy makers are served.

The purpose of this chapter is to examine the connection between the Pond Dynamics/ Aquaculture CRSP and farm-level efforts to communicate research findings and production strategies and to elucidate the influence of farmers on the PD/A CRSP research program. We review PD/A CRSP efforts to participate in the development and extension of aquaculture technologies in the context of existing extension systems and the range of alternative approaches that are typically available to extension programs.