|
|
|
| R Number: R7832 |
|
| Contractor; HR Wallingford | Dates: November 2000 to March 2003 |
|
The purpose of this project is to increase the benefits from DFID funded research into water for food production by collaborative development of targeted training and dissemination materials. |
|
| Executive Summary |
| Objectives |
|
Previous DFID funded research has produced many useful and relevant outputs covering a number of issues in irrigated agriculture including; improved water use efficiency, agricultural drainage and salinity, gender awareness, appropriate small-scale irrigation design, sediment management, maintenance, and water quality. There is concern that research findings and tools have not always reached their intended users and constraints to uptake of research outputs will thus be reviewed during the first stage of the project. It is anticipated that the review will confirm that dissemination using a wider range of media/methods of delivery than technical papers and research reports is needed. These will be developed in collaboration with partners in the second phase of the project, guided by the review findings. Improvements in uptake can also be achieved by incorporating validated research outputs and tools in course material delivered to the next generation of practitioners. Therefore, the project will develop training material in a format suitable for integration into irrigation/water resource courses delivered by national training centres in Zimbabwe, Kenya and Pakistan. The project will develop prototype dissemination/uptake models for the ouputs of future irrigation research activities, and build capacity at regional centres of excellence. |
| Methodology |
|
Findings of a review of constraints to uptake will be used to design effective dissemination material using a range of media/delivery methods. A needs assessment, related to recent W5 research, will be carried out with collaborating organisations. Other material, where appropriate and available, will be assessed for inclusion to fill missing "gaps" and place the research into context. A specification will then be prepared and agreed by all partners, and training packages, tailored to meet the needs of each institute, developed (from a common resource base). Use of different media (as appropriate) will be made to use the most effective dissemination means for each component of the packages.
|
| Further Information |
| Collaborating Organisations |
|
Institute of Water and Environment (IWE), Cranfield University, Silsoe Water Management Department NWFP Agricultural University PESHAWAR Pakistan Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, University of Zimbabwe PO Box MP 167 Mount Pleasant Harare Zimbabwe. |
| Contact Details for Further Information |
|
DFID KAR WATER Dissemination Officer HR Wallingford Howbery Park Wallingford Oxon OX10 8BA
Tel: +44 (0) 1491 835381
|