The approach

Farming systems research (FSR) is aimed at identifying options for improving the well-being of rural households in specific local environments. Much of this research has been conducted by staff of the International Agricultural Research Institutes, mentioned in Chapter 2, with the prime objective of developing new, improved farm-level technology. However, the introduction of new technology is not the only way of improving the well-being of rural households. Other possibilities include the provision of rural social infrastructure such as roads, market-places, health and education facilities, water and electricity supplies and opportunities for off-farm employment. Assured supplies of farm inputs and markets for farm produce and improved price incentives also benefit farm families. In principle, farming systems research may be used to identify options for improvement in all these areas.

There are four main characteristics of farming systems research. First and foremost it is focussed on the farm household. Thus it is based on a recognition that rural change and development ultimately depend on rural people whose existing practices are well adapted to environmental constraints and household objectives. Attempts to develop and impose innovations or policies from the top down, without previous reference to those who will be affected, rarely succeed. Those of us, research scientists or development planners, who are concerned to promote rural development must work with farmers and try to understand their aims, their methods and their problems if our outside assistance is to be acceptable and useful to them.