RESEARCH IMPACTS

Making a Difference in the Community 

In 1998, the program launched a survey to assess if SANREM research activities are making a difference in the community.  Preliminary analysis of the survey results indicates that proximity to the project is positively correlated with heightened awareness of environmental linkages and concepts, more “environment-conscious” attitudes, and a higher propensity to adopt relatively costly sustainable agriculture practices such as integrated pest management (IPM), hedgerows and contour strips.  These findings emerge in spite of a relatively brief project life (less than five years) and a concentration of project activities on research rather than training or extension.  

For more details of the study results see Assessing the Impact of a Participatory, Research-Oriented Project: Results of a Survey.