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

While cultural traditions are important, there is a need to challenge, as well as to respect, those traditions which have given rise to a particular rural research and development system. The authors examine the broad themes of ‘knowledge transfer’ and the organisation and conduct of research and development from a ‘second-order’ systems perspective. The discussion is based on the system operating in the rangelands of Australia, where the need to adopt a novel approach arose because the existing practice of agricultural extension did not meet the needs of the farming community there, and the funding bodies were dissatisfied with the return on their investment. The ways in which the relationship between the rural community and researchers might be more effectively managed are discussed. The issues addressed have relevance in a wider context and this book will therefore be of importance to any professional involved in agricultural management and policy making.