Agricultural Extension and Rural Development: Breaking out of Knowledge Transfer Traditions

by Edited by Ray Ison , David Russell

• ISBN13: 9780521642019
• ISBN10: 0521642019
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-11-28
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

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. 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.

Table of Contents

List of contributors	vii
About the authors	viii
Acknowledgements	x
Part I Breaking Out of Traditions	1	(76)
The research--development relationship in rural communities: an opportunity for contextual science	10	(22)
David B. Russell
Raymond L. Ison
The human quest for understanding and agreement	32	(20)
Lloyd Fell
David B. Russell
Technology: transforming grazier experience	52	(25)
Raymond L. Ison
Part II Historical Patterns, Technological Lineages and the Emergence of Institutionalised Research and Development	77	(56)
From theodolite to satellite: land, technology and power in the Western Division of NSW	80	(23)
Adrian Mackenzie
Experience, tradition and service? Institutionalised R&D in the rangelands	103	(30)
Raymond L. Ison
Part III A Design for Second-order Research and Development	133	(72)
Enthusiasm: developing critical action for second-order R&D	136	(25)
David B. Russell
Raymond L. Ison
Co-researching: braiding theory and practice for research with people	161	(28)
Lynn Webber
The graziers' story	189	(16)
Danielle Dignam
Philippa Major
Part IV Limitations and Possibilities for Research and Development Design	205	(14)
Designing R&D systems for mutual benefit	208	(11)
David B. Russell
Raymond L. Ison
Appendix	219	(4)
Glossary	223	(9)
Index	232