Social Science in Farming Systems Research

Educational implications for integrated crop and livestock farming systems research and development in Boone and Story County, Iowa

“…According to Jones and Wallace (1986), differing approaches to FSR were developed almost simultaneously at different national, regional and international research centers. Different variants such as Farming Systems Research and Extension (FSR&E) and Farming Systems Research and Development (FSR&D) were recognized depending on the problem focus (Jones and Wallace, 1986).…”

“…The cropping system approach was developed at IRRl as the need for combined crop production arose in Southeast Asia, while in Guatemala a similar FSR approach was being conducted at the ICTA (Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnologia Agricola (ICTAT)) (Jones and Wallace, 1986). This approach spread like wildfire among international research centers, which resulted in the production of an encyclopedic review of FSR methodologies by Shaner, Philipp andSchmehl in 1982 (Jones andWallace, 1986). Norman (1982) tried to elucidate on the emergence of different farming systems when he stated:…”

“…Discussing about the research process in FSR, Jones and Wallace (1986) stated that FSR as an interactive research strategy is characterized by the use of an interdisciplinary team; the integration of experiment station research with socioeconomic investigations, and onfarm trials of technology in the fields. The first stage in FSR consists of defining the project objectives as well as selecting the area for the study.…”

“…Another stage in the FSR approach is the design of improved systems directed toward the farms or the target population. The improved system will be applicable to a large number of farms to justify the investment in research (Jones and Wallace, 1986). They stressed validating FSR design as soon as sufficient data regarding the applicability of the technology is available as well as validating the FSR design under field conditions (Jones and Wallace, 1986).…”

“…Norman (1980) emphasized that the holistic nature of FSR separates it from the reductionists' approach used by technical agricultural scientists who tend to study one or two things at the same time while attempting to control other factors. Jones and Wallace (1986) stated that the problem bequeathed to FSR was to construct an integrated picture of peasant production, formulate strategies of integrating the contributions of biological and social scientists at all stages of the research process. This approach helps to ensure that problems were correctly perceived in both technical and social senses.…”