N. R”ling (author / Department of Communication and Innovation Studies, Wageningen Agricultural University) and Department of Communication and Innovation Studies, Wageningen Agricultural University
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
1996
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 103 Document Number: C08888
In all, a constructivist epistemology leads to a completely different approach that includes the conventional one, but ultimately leads to very different choices. I call this approach "interactive agricultural science". Box 2 sums up its main features. Interactive agricultural science is internally consistent. Just as the conventional paradigm, it embraces a whole range of mutually related elements at various levels of abstraction, from epistemology to the practical points of departure for rewarding desired scientific work and for training students. The challenge to agricultural science is together to further construct and operationalise this paradigm. That, as I hope to have made clear, is a condition for achieving our new mission: to contribute to a change in direction which saves us from becoming Norsemen in Greenland.
Poem highlighting the problematic focus, incentives and effectiveness of farming systems research by universities and experiment stations around the world.
