of these informal networks. How to utilize merchants is a particular

challenge. The interests of farmers and merchants do not coincide completely;

but merchants often provide much information to farmers about input supplies

and product markets.

 It should be clear that many questions on agricultural extension

must be geared to the specific local environment. Mechanical transfer of

any country's extension system (whether that of the U.S., Japan, Taiwan,

etc.,) is filled with danger. Moreover, a country's needs change as some

problems are solved and other problems become salient. Closely monitored

pilot projects can be useful to generate accurate information about how

general ideas work out in particular locations. Making sure that the

pilot project is replicable and utilized properly is a major problem, but

there is no substitute for practical experience in situ.