In the first situation, technology dissemination can be undertaken on a
large scale, with monitoring and evaluation mainly to refine recommendation
domains and to identify useful farmer innovations. However, there are
currently few technologies that fall in this category. Most agroforestry
technologies that are currently available are 'prototypes', that is, specific
'best bets' whose designs are based on available information within and/or
outside the project area, which are generally not validated locally. These
may be introduced on a pilot basis with intensive monitoring and farmer
input for validation and adaptation to local conditions. In the case of
'experimental' technologies, a more intensive research effort, including trials
on controlled plots, may be needed prior to introduction on a large number
of farms.