Farming Systems: An Effective Methodology

 for Rapid Agricultural Change

 Edwin C. French, Eugenio Martinez, Dwight L. Schmidt
 Department of Agronomy, University of Florida
 Gainesville, FL 32611, USA


 Marilyn E. Swisher
 Multi-County Extension Agent, Live Oak AREC
 Route 2, Box 2181, Live Oak FL 32060, USA

 Farming systems research/extension (FSR/E) embodies a
systematic methodology beginning with problem identifica-
tion and ending with dissemination of appropriate
technology. Farming systems research (FSR) is a relatively re-
cent approach dating back to the early 1970's (Collinson,
1972; Ruthenberg, 1971). Work initiated at ICTA in 1973
represents one of the first attempts to institutionalize FSR/E
(Hildebrand, 1981). During the past 10 years, this
methodology was more fully conceptualized and put into
practice. Importation reductions were achieved for corn,
beans, rice, and sorghum, with beans now an export crop.


 Jimmy R. Rich
 Plant Pathology Department, Live Oak AREC
 Route 2, Box 2181 Live Oak, FL 32060, USA

These results were achieved through application of FSR/E
methodology with a focus on small-farm producers. Based on
the farming systems methodology developed in Guatemala,
the University of Florida initiated a FSR/E pilot program in
1981. The program is directed at technology generation for
small farmers of north Florida and has emphasized improved
grain and forage systems. On-farm reserach has proven critical
in rapid problem identification and solution testing and is key
to strengthening the farmer-extension-research connection.
Keywords: FSR/E; Farming Systems Research/Extension; On-
farm Research; Farming Systems.


 A farming system represents a synthesis of interpretations by
 the farm unit members of the biophysical and socio-economic
 environment in which they operate. To survive in a dynamic en-
 vironment, the farm unit members must adopt new innovations.
 For adoption to occur, any new innovation or technology must be
 perceived by the farm unit members to be appropriate (French
 and Schmidt, 1984). In response to the recognized need for in-
 stitutional change to meet the growing farmer demand for ap-
 propriate technology, the farming systems research/extension
 (FSR/E) approach was born.
 The primary objective of FSR/E is to accelerate the process of
technology generation and testing to final adoption. This is
achieved by establishing a multi-disciplinary team approach be-
tween farmers, extensionist and researchers. In essence, the suc-
cess of the FSR/E is a result of its client-oriented focus.


Florida and ICTA Programs
 FSR/E has been employed since the early 1970's in Latin
America, Asia, Africa and more recently in the United States
(Collinson, 1972; Ruthenberg, 1971; Hildebrand, 1982;
Schmidt, ed., 1984). In Latin America, FSR/E had its beginning
in Guatemala at Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnologia Agricola
(ICTA) in 1973 (Ministerio de Agricultura, 1971). The University
of Florida (U. of F.) small farm oriented FSR/E program, initi-
ated in 1981, has direct lineage to the Guatemala ICTA program
(Schmidt ed., 1984). The development of the U. of F. FSR/E
program was based on many of the concepts derived at ICTA.
The organizational diagram of ICTA (Fig. 1) embodies a basic
underlying principle of FSR/E, i.e., the researcher/on-farm con-
nection. The research orientation taken by the ICTA commodity
researcher group in maize, beans, wheat, rice and sorghum, is
greatly influenced by the on-farm research teams. The flow of
technology moves from the commodity researchers to the farmers

VOL. XX-PROCEEDINGS of the CARIBBEAN FOOD CROPS SOCIETY


through the on-farm research teams for validation and possible
dissemination.
 ICTA opened its doors in 1973. It was organized specifically to
 bring about yield increases of the five basic food commodities. It
 functioned somewhat as a private enterprise, gearing its opera-
 tion and budget to produce appropriate technology in the most
 efficient manner. It differed from the U.S. university land grant
 system, having no academic/educational function, having no
 traditional extension service and having a directed research effort
 operating from a broad institutional team approach.
 The Florida FSR/E program operates similarly to that of ICTA
 with a team of university faculty and staff members from the main
 campus and the region working to solve specific identified prob-
 lems. This cadre of research and extension oriented persons make
 up the equivalent of the ICTA model, technical production unit.
 In Florida, a regional scheme has been proposed for incor-
porating FSR/E concepts and methodology into the existing in-
stitutional structure (Fig. 2). The research station serves as the
pivot point for the region, charged with the principle function of
carrying out research priorities established by the regional ad-
visory group. Station facilities, equipment and personnel would
be used to conduct research on-station and on-farm in the sur-
rounding counties that make up the region. The core staff is
responsible for regional day-to-day on-farm and on-station
research operations. The core staff, based at the Agricultural
Research and Education Center, would be made up of the
regional FSR/E coordinator, regional specialty agents and FSR/E
field support personnel. Farmers and extension have direct input
into establishing research priorities through the regional advisory
group and participate in specific research and extension activities.
By design, the Florida organizational scheme establishes an in-
tegration of existing institutional entities, formalizing a closer
marriage with the farmer in order to effectively and rapidly react
to farmer felt needs.


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