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recommendation domains is usually based upon a few of targeting in FSR/E using recommendation domains, probrelatively easily identifiable factors such as soil type, lens in the conventional use domains in FSR/E are described
agroecological zones, crop type, and management (Harrington in an attempt to bring together the two differing viewand Tripp 1985). These authors note the importance of points and to begin to resolve the question. The refined
continuing the refinement of domain boundaries throughout concept of targeting allows for better inclusion of gender
the sequence of on-farm adaptive research, but the subse- variables in the definition of domains.
quent reassessment of recommendation domains is often not
vigorously pursued. OVERVIEW OF TARGETING AND RECOMMENDATION DOMAINS
A more recent view states that grouping farming systems
should not take place until the researchers have an ade- Targeting for Efficiency and Social Equity
quate understanding of the variability inherent in local
farming systems, usually not accomplished early in the work FSR/E must differentiate between various potential
in an area. Cornick and Alberti argue that recommendation farmer-client groups and determine the particular needs of
domains established early are frequently poorly conceived each, if technologies are to be developed that clearly meet
and lead to a premature assumption of homogeneity. The those needs (Byerlee and Hesse de Polanco 1982). most
failure to consider potential variability from factors such literature on the subject of targeting in farming systems
as long-term climate induced trends in cropping patterns, has stressed the increase in efficiency of FSR/E activities
household decision-making and labor allocation, or rela- made possible through focusing upon specific, relatively
tionships between on- and off-farm activities, may bias homogeneous farmer groups.
subsequent technology development. For example, Cornick Efficiency in allocation of research resources is
and Alberti (1985:1) note: essential if a program is to reach and benefit a maximum
number of farmers. By focusing scarce resources upon
... the roles of women and children that can be critical roughly similiar groups of farmers, research programs are
factors in the development and subsequent adoption of able to carry out investigations on a selected number of
technologies are often explicitly excluded from consi- representative farms and later can transfer the findings to
deration in recommendation domains. This occurs because the comparable situations faced by other farmers.
the usual time frame for development of recommendation Targeting is also important in justifying the farming
domains is inadequate to the task of understanding intra- systems approach to institutional policy makers who are
household dynamics and the importance they hold in the concerned about social equity in the distribution of
system. resulting benefits. Farming systems practitioners use targeting concepts to assist them in making decisions which
In particular, socioeconomic factors are often not, increase the likelihood of an optimal distribution of
fully integrated into domains defined early, either because research results among the members of a community.
of the longer period of time necessary to gather this
information, or because of the absence of trained social Conventional Concept of Recommendation Domains
scientists as part of farming systems teams. One area
often poorly covered in early definitions of domains is the The concept of "recommendation domains" has been widely
different agricultural roles of men and women. Proceeding used in targeting farming systems research since Perrin et
with on-farm research and other activities on the basis of al. (1976) first introduced the idea. It is described'and
a hastily achieved assumption of homogeneity could result defined by.Byerlee et al. (1980:899) in the following
in inefficient subsequent research and the promotion of manner:
solutions that are not appropriate to farmers (Cornick and
Alberti 1985:25) or technologies that may favor some ... a recommendation domain (RD) is a group of farmers
farmers (male) while causing disadvantages for others with roughly similiar practices and circumstances for
(female). whom a given recommendation will be broadly appropri-,
In this paper the issue of variability versus ate. It is a stratification of farmers, not area:
homogeneity in the targeting of farming systems research farmers, not fields, make decisions on technology.
and extension activities is explored. After a brief review