A History of Farming Systems Research

Book excerpt: Farming Systems Research (FSR) may be defined as a diagnostic process, providing a collection of methods for researchers to understand farm households and their decision-making. Its applications use this understanding to increase efficiency in the use of human and budgetary resources for agricultural development, including research, extension and policy formulation. Initiated by the then International Association for Farming Systems Research and Extension (now International Farming Systems Association) and developed with support from FAO, this book provides a detailed history of FSR. While it includes the application of FSR to developed country agriculture, its main focus is on FSR in its original role, with small-scale, resource-poor farmers in less developed countries.