Agricultural research policy - Softcover

Vernon W. Ruttan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0816611017 ISBN 13: 9780816611010

Publisher: Minneapolis University of Minnesota 1982, 1982

Synopsis

Prior to the 20th century, much of the new knowledge on which advances in agricultural technology and agricultural practices were based occurred as a by-product of scientific curiosity or the accumulation of practical experience. New crops became available as by-products of exploration and migration. By the beginning of the 20th century, only a few countries had developed the institutional capacity—in the form of the agricultural experiment station, the industrial laboratory, or the engineering development staff—necessary to produce a continuous stream of new agricultural technology. By the middle of the 20th century, even the poorest developing countries had begun to establish the institutional foundations for the conduct of agricultural research. During the last quarter of the 20th century, the world was moving rapidly toward the establishment of an integrated network of national and international agricultural research institutions. The issues related to the strategy and organization of agricultural research have, however, rarely been the subject of scientific inquiry. There is no school or discipline of agricultural research management. This is probably as it should be. Effective research management is the product of a unique combination of experience, insight, skill, and personality. I doubt that it could be taught. I would argue, however, that these qualities could be enhanced and refined by drawing on the accumulated experience of research organization, management, and strategy that has accumulated since agricultural research became institutionalized. This book consists of a series of essays on the strategy, organization, and management of agricultural research. The essays attempt to explore some of the concepts and hypotheses that have evolved over three decades of association with, and writing about, agricultural research...

About this title

About the Author

Vernon W. Ruttan was Regents’ Professor of Agricultural and Applied Economics at the University of Minnesota and served as president of the Agricultural Development Council. He published widely and was a six-time recipient of the American Agricultural Economics Association’s publication award.

Edition details

• Publisher: Minneapolis University of Minnesota 1982
• Publication date: 1982
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0816611017
• ISBN 13: 9780816611010
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 369