Science, Agriculture and Research: A Compromised Participation?

Hardback  220pp  ISBN 9781853836961      £80.00

Softcover  220pp  ISBN 9781853836916      £23.00

Biotechnology, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), 'mad cow disease', chemical contamination and other food scares have all put the spotlight on new developments in food production and the way in which agricultural research is conducted. Some argue that the research is in the pockets of the agribusiness multinationals, with scant regard other than for their profits. Others maintain that without new technologies there is little chance of finding ways to feed the world's growing population.

In this clear, concise and illuminating book, agricultural researchers themselves explain what is involved: why they do what they do, what drives the research methods and agenda, who funds it and how the whole system functions. They explore the complexities and trade-offs in a vital field of scientific work which, like many other areas of science, affect all of us and raise important questions of trust, public perception and management. They show what, in an inevitably imperfect process, is necessary to ensure responsible and accountable new technologies and applications.

CONTENTS

Introduction
The Approach Taken

1. What Drives Agricultural Research?
   The Research Process and Policy - How Does it all Work?
   The Importance of Funding in Research
   Who Are the Funding Agencies, How Do They Work and What is Their Remit?
   Who is Intended to Benefit from the Research?
   The Peer-review Process and Research Funding
   The Funding Agency Panels and Boards and Who Influences Them
   The Importance of Accountability and Value for Money
   The Move to Short-termism
   
   
2. From Jethro Tull to Grain Mountains: The Origins and Development of Agricultural Research Systems
   A Time-frame of Agricultural Developments since 1700
   Problems with Production
   The Agricultural Revolution: A Thirst for Knowledge and its Application
   Science into Practice - Early Models
   Shifting Power: The Democratization of Research
   The Politics of Agriculture - Protection versus Improvement
   The Industrialization of Agriculture and the Research Process
   Control and Accountability
   
   
3. Agriculture and the Empire: Transferring Technocracies
   Introduction
   The Empire and Agricultural Research
   Case Study: Nigeria
   Agricultural Research Systems in Nigeria
   Agricultural Extension
   The CGIAR and Africa's Green Revolution
   Summary and Conclusions
   
   
4. Modern Times: Agribusiness and Biotechnology
   Time-frame: 1947-2000
   Farming Priorities for UK Agricultural Research - Declining Participation
   Rothschild Report
   Determining Funding Objectives
   Guidance from Foresight
   Contributions from the EU
   Political Agenda of EU Integration?
   Applying Applied Science
   Academia and Industry Interactions
   Farmer Participation?
   Future - What Future?
   
   
5. The Rise (and Further Rise?) of Participation
   Introduction
   The Origins of Participation
   Agro-ecosystem Analysis
   Farming Systems Research
   Rapid and Participatory Appraisal
   Current Fronts of Participation
   The Further Rise of Participation?
   Participation, Research and the CGIAR
   The Limits of Participation
   Summary and Conclusions
   
   
6. A Compromised Participation?
   Introduction
   The Agricultural Process and Those Involved
   The Role of Agricultural Research
   Who are the Perceived Beneficiaries?
   Who Funds Agricultural Research?
   Accountability
   Public Perceptions
   Science and Society
   The Political Agenda of Research Funders
   Compromised Participation in Overseas Development
   Compromised Participation in the UK
   Concluding Comments

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