Agricultural Extension and Rural Development Breaking out of Traditions

About this book

While traditions are very important to a culture, there is a need to challenge, as well as to respect, those traditions which have given rise to a particular rural research and development situation. In Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, the authors critically examine the broad themes of 'knowledge transfer' and the organization and conduct of research and development, based particularly on the system operating in the rangelands of Australia. The need to adopt an alternative approach arose because the existing practice of agricultural extension did not meet the needs of the farming community there, and the research funding bodies were dissatisfied with the return on their investments. The way in which the relationships between the rural community and researchers might be differently, and perhaps more fruitfully, managed are discussed.

Contents

List of contributors
About the authors
Acknowledgements

Part I. Breaking Out of Traditions
1. The research-development relationship in rural communities: an opportunity for contextual science David B. Russell and Raymond L. Ison
2. The human quest for understanding and agreement Lloyd Fell and David B. Russell
3. Technology: transforming grazier experience Raymond L. Ison

Part II. Historical Patterns, Technological Lineages and the Emergence of Institutionalised Research and Development
4. From theodolite to satellite: land, technology and power in the western division of NSW Adrian Mackenzie
5. Experience, tradition and service? Institutionalised R&D in the rangelands Raymond L. Ison

Part III. A Design for Second-Order Research and Development
6. Enthusiasm: developing critical action for second-order R&D David B. Russell and Raymond L. Ison
7. Co-researching: braiding theory and practice for research with people Lynn Webber
8. The grazier's story Danielle Dignam and Philippa Major
9. Designing R&D systems for mutual benefit David B. Russell and Raymond L. Ison

Appendix
Glossary
Index

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