The report from our pilot project in Laos outlines how such an extension system might be constituted. Steadily increasing pressure on natural resources has brought about a situation in which any measure to promote agriculture must satisfy many demands. Consequently, agricultural production systems appropriate to a particular site, which promote sustainable cultivation and protection of natural resources, are at the core of our projects in the Philippines and Eritrea. But without the scientific and technical contributions of agricultural research, additional yield increases from food crops would not be possible. The Novartis Foundation is therefore continuing its commitment to research on smallholder agricultural systems in developing countries by supporting the Station de recherche agricole in Cinzana, Mali .
Many different factors play a role.
In analysing these factors it is important to distinguish the exogenous from the endogenous . Exogenous factors are outside conditions that can have a positive or negative influence on the course of a project. Among these are natural environmental conditions and socio-cultural, economic, political and administrative conditions at the project site. Adequate consideration of these conditions is of crucial importance to the success of the project. Endogenous factors are those which show the influence of groups of actors involved in the project.