PLA Notes CD-ROM 1988-2001 5 How to get reliable yield estimates from terraces

Document begins: PLA Notes CD-ROM 1988­2001 5 How to get reliable yield estimates from terraces William J. Fielding On-farm trials are important tools used in Nepal Figure 1. Terminology associated with a to identify problems and test new technologies terrace. The riser is the front of the terrace under farmers' conditions. The problems of where one walks, and the wall is the back participatory on-farm trials have often been of the terrace (where there may be a drain). raised in PLA Notes. From studies in Nepal it is The terms riser and wall are clear that although many factors influence the interchangeable as the riser of one terrace adoption or rejection of a new variety (level of is the wall of its neighbour. The terrace side education, caste, level of food security) the is the edge which connects the riser to the single most important aspect that most farmers wall. The direction from riser to wall is look for is high yield. Thus it is essential that termed across the terrace and the direction reliable data on yields are obtained from from side to side along the terrace. terraces, the distinctive feature of the Himalayas. Terraces pose problems for the ...