Publication Date
1993
Description
This paper favours a view of grasslands, and agricultural research in general, that extends well beyond the limits of the scien1ific cummunity and promotes the active involvement of scientists in current societal debates from a cientific perspective. It is argued that in developed counuies environmental concerns rather than production growth will tend to dominnte future social debate, In developing countries there is a need to balnnce agricultural growth with responsible management of natural resources. Needs for new technology go beyond improving biophysical efficiency, and involve economic and social efficiency objectives. The relevance of grassland research is ssessed in terms of these three dimensions of efficiency. It is argued that to enhance social relevance new, appropri<1te mixes of research paradigms are needed. A number of important issues that grassland scientists and teachers need to address to remain relevant are identified within the context of the proposed research paradigms.
Citation
Nores, G A. and Vera, R R., "Science and Information for our Grasslands" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 33.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session2/33
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Science and Information for our Grasslands
This paper favours a view of grasslands, and agricultural research in general, that extends well beyond the limits of the scien1ific cummunity and promotes the active involvement of scientists in current societal debates from a cientific perspective. It is argued that in developed counuies environmental concerns rather than production growth will tend to dominnte future social debate, In developing countries there is a need to balnnce agricultural growth with responsible management of natural resources. Needs for new technology go beyond improving biophysical efficiency, and involve economic and social efficiency objectives. The relevance of grassland research is ssessed in terms of these three dimensions of efficiency. It is argued that to enhance social relevance new, appropri<1te mixes of research paradigms are needed. A number of important issues that grassland scientists and teachers need to address to remain relevant are identified within the context of the proposed research>paradigms.
