Rural Sociology and Psycology

Transfer of Technology 

Technologies are generated for their application in the appropriate field. This involves transfer of technology (TOT) which is one of the important functions of extension service. Transfer of technology is needed for improving the production potential and productivity in farming.

Brooks (1966) defined “technology transfer” as the process by which science and technology are diffused through human activity. According to Shand (1976) TOT means translating the research findings or technologies into actual practice in the farms by recipients or farmers themselves. It implies the trial, evaluation and consequent adoption of technologies generated.

The components of technology transfer are enlisted as under: i) Science or scientific know-how, ii) Dissemination, iii) Application or utilization, iv) Adoption and v) Improved production.

TAS

TDS

Feedback

TPS

 A technology may be viewed as an appropriate technology for a society if its design is relevant to the real  needs of that society, its use fulfill that needs, its continuance and development are based on the society’s economic and technical ability to support, service, maintain and even improve upon it. In farming , the number of potential adopters are very large and they live in different socio-economic and environmental conditions .So, in farming location-specific technologies are more appropriate.

Diffusion of farm technologies depend upon efficient functioning of four systems of transfer of technology. They are: i) How the   new technology (innovation) is evolved by the scientists (Technology Generating System (TGS)/Research system), ii) How it is transmitted (Technology Diffusion System (TDS) / Extension system), iii) How the farmers receive and adopt it(Technology Practising System (TPS)/ Client system) and iv)How the situations help the farmers to adopt it (Support System). The feedback given by the client system on the performance of the new technology will help the research system to fine tune the deficiencies in the technology to make it more appropriate to the  client system.