Bioeconomic modelling of hedgerow intercropping

The objective of this project is to improve the flow of appropriate soil conservation technology to upland farmers by providing feedback from farmers to researchers and policymakers regarding factors likely to promote technology adoption. This farming systems approach will start by defining the goals and circumstances of farmers in specific physical and socioeconomic environments. It also has an ecological focus, examining not only whole-farm systems but agroecological systems, including agroforestry systems and land-use systems. A general hypothesis which will guide the research is that upland farmers choose technology in order to further their goals, subject to the constraints imposed by resource availability and environmental conditions.