1st Edition

Science Agriculture and Research A Compromised Participation

    176 Pages
    by Routledge

    176 Pages
    by Routledge

    Research is never free of pressures and constraints and to understand its results properly these have to be assessed and analyzed. In agriculture, research into biotechnology and GMOs, as well as pesticides and herbicides, is big business - agribusiness. This book looks at the crucial roles of funding and the political context on the research agenda and its results in agricultural development. It provides a critical evaluation of the participatory methods now widely used and explores the ways in which research into biotechnology have reflected the interests of the various parties involved.

    Introduction * What Drives Agricultural Research? * From Jethro Tull to Grain Mountains: The Origins and Development of Agricultural Research Systems * Agriculture and the Empire: Transferring Technocracies * Modern Times: Agribusiness and Biotechnology * The Rise (and Further Rise?) of Participation * A Compromised Participation? * References * Index

    Biography

    William Buhler is an independent agricultural researcher. Stephan Morse is a reader in development studies at the University of Reading. Eddie Arthur is a senior agricultural researcher based at the John Innes Centre, Norwich. Susannah Bolton is Head of International and Public Liaison at the Institute of Arable Crops research (IACR), Rothamsted. Judy Mann is Development and Liaison Manager for Rothamsted International at IACR.

    'An excellent book.' Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 'the book is aimed at a wide audience, and should appeal to people and organizations with an interest in food, agriculture, rural development, and research, and the philosophical and ethical questions that surround these important themes.' Biological Agriculture & Horticulture