homogeneous groups. Refinement and expantion of the use of In the Ecuadorian case cited by Cornick and Alberti,
domains in targeting will enable researchers to distinguish recommendation domains would be based not only upon farm
applications of the domain concept, while still recognizing households, but also upon their separate fields that are
the diversity among farm households and farming systems. not contiguous but widely dispersed in location and altiThis can be accomplished by recognizing a problem focus tude. Each household might fall into several recommnendain the definition of the domains, by tying the changing tion domains depending upon: (1) where their fields are
concept of domain more closely to the farming systems located along the agroecologicrl. gradient of the mountainsequence, and by stressing a greater inclusion of socio-sie(2thclme-ladcrpangetdcsos econmicconidertios ito te trgeing rocss.Themade for each of those fields; and, (3) the particularrefinements outlined below are a sharpening of focus not a problem solutions to be tested.
changing of terminology', that will lead to increased Other examples from West Africa demonstrate how gender
utility of this method of targeting in the field. can be used to differentiate recommendation domains. In
Any of the three types of domains described below maymayresmnadwonhveepatfilotn
be defined within specific geographic boundaries for ease mnyreas frme r an awmae separate fies noftemnae
in conceptualization, but it is imperative to realize that communally by the household. Women traditionally grow rice
domains do not necessarily include all the area within the on their lands while men produce upland crops such as
boundaries prescribed. Because domains are based upon a groundnuts or sorghum on their own fields. In this system,
specified problem focus and upon socioeconomic considera- fields managed by a household pertain to different recointions in addition to the more geographically mappable fac- mendation domains depending upon both the cropping system
tors of climate, altitude, and soil, they are actually and the gender of the farmer manager. in one area of the
interspersed intermittently in a discontinuous pattern Ivory Coast, men plant yams in a cleared field. Women will
throughout a geographic area. often care for the yam plants by weeding them while they
The examples here will emphasize gender as a key factor plant their vegetable crops in the space between the yam
in delineating domains; other factors, such as class, plants. In this system, fields are neither men's nor
education, language use, or food preferences, could also be women's, nor would entire ields fall into a single
used. problem-focused recommendation domain. Rather, domains
would be determined by crops and their managers, male or
Research Domains: Targeting for Variability female, and contain pieces of many fields.
Recommendation domains are seen as tentative in nature
A "research domain" is a problem-focused environmental throughout the on-farm adaptive research process. Recomn(agro-ecological and socioeconomic) range throughout which mendation domains are initially hypothesized by the FSR/E
it is expected that hypothesized solutions to a defined team on the'basis of on-farm exploratory and ref inemnent
problem could have potential applicability and therefore trials, information collected through directed surveys, andi
should be tested. Research domains are determined during subsequent on-farm verification trials. over tine, as note
the initiation of research activities, largely by consider- information is gathered, the recommendation domains are
ation of biophysical (agro-ecological) factors, with some refined and redefined to closer approach reality.
attention to socioeconomic and gender issues.
Recommendation Domains: Targeting for Homogeneity DfuinDmis agtn o omncto
"Dif fusion domains" are interpersonal communication
Research domains are comprised of one or more agro- networks through which newly acquired knowledge of agri-socioeconomic "recommendation domains", that are tenta- cultural technologies naturally flows (Hildebrand 1985).
tively defined based upon the response of a specific tech- Informal flow of information through a community grapevii.
nology to the actual agro-socioeconomic conditions found on is substantial (Rogers 1983). From farmer to farmer,
farms. A "recommendation domain" is a group of farmers (or neighbor to neighbor, store operator to patron, inforinati(
farmers and their fields) with a common problem for whom a about new ideas moves through a farming community. Awaretested solution meets their biophysical and socioeconomic ness of a new technology being verified in on-farm trials
requirements for adoption.