How farmers benefit from plant clinics: an impact study in Bolivia
A survey of 238 clinic users found that most adopted the clinics' recommendations
Abstract
Between 2000 and 2009, 9 plant clinics in 3 agro-ecological areas of Bolivia (Andes, lowlands and valleys) served about 800 communities in an area roughly 300 脳 100km. Over 6000 farmers consulted these clinics with 9000 queries. Many found the advice so useful that they visited the clinics repeatedly. A survey of 238 clinic users found that most adopted the clinics鈥� recommendations. Fruit and vegetable growers who followed the clinic recommendations tended to spend less on pesticides. As for certain crops like potato, citrus and peach palm, a modest increase in pesticides helped improve the quality and quantity of the harvest. Farmers improved their incomes by following the clinics鈥� advice. The poorest farmers enjoyed the greatest increase in income per hectare. This was the first study to explore the impact of plant clinics; future studies need to be improved, for example by obtaining baseline data and by comparing clinic users to their peers who have not used clinics.
Citation
Bentley, J.; Boa, E.; Almendras, F.; Franco, P.; Antezana, O.; D铆az, O.; Franco, J.; Villarroel, J. How farmers benefit from plant clinics: an impact study in Bolivia. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability (2011) 9 (3) 393-408. [DOI: 10.1080/14735903.2011.583482]