Dissemination paradox: how contextual realities influence smallholder farmers' modifications of agroforestry technologies in Uganda's Mt. Elgon region

This study was intended to understand how smallholder farmers' modifications improved agroforestry technologies' usability in Uganda's Mt. Elgon region. We used a case study approach to understand how smallholder farmers' contextual realities informed their modifications and enhanced the usability of agroforestry technologies. Data was collected over four months of frequent and regular interaction with the cases using formal and informal methods that included in-depth interviews, conversations, discussions, and direct observations. Emerging themes and patterns were identified from the comprehensively reduced data. In addition, respondents' direct quotes were used to emphasize the reasons for the modifications. The findings showed that smallholder farmers modified the recommended technologies to suit their biophysical and socio-economic realities. Differences and similarities in modifications existed among cases across the agroforestry technologies. The modifications were mainly done to diversify tree uses, optimize space utilization, and minimize production costs for farming households. These findings imply a need to critically examine the smallholder farmers' modifications to make agroforestry technologies applicable and compliant to their contexts. This will inform the re-invention of technologies that will quickly diffuse into the community for broader impact. Findings also emphasize the need to rethink the linear model of technology transfer mainly applied in agroforestry technology development and dissemination because it offers limited space for the much-needed feedback from smallholder farmers.