reducing the effects of constraints that limit production.
In this way, unproductive lines of investigation can be
discarded earlier. A rigorous review procedure can help
guard against a tendency of many scientists to pursue
familiar research projects with only minor changes, even
if these may no longer be yielding significant new
information of potential use by clients.
 An overall review will help identify where
cooperative research or an exchange of information should
take place. It will also identify duplication of effort
or where resources could be better used on other
priorities or in other regions. Another benefit of
evaluation reviews is that participants in the process (at
all levels, including support staff) develop a mission-
oriented outlook and the overall program becomes more
purposeful and rewarding.
 A further advantage of FSR/E is that it helps to make
the process of research and development more
understandable to public leaders, farm client groups, and
service organizations. It provides a visible example of
public and institutional commitment to finding solutions
for real problems and to improving rural life. These in
turn can lead directly to public support for research and
development, which may previously have been lacking, and
indirectly to changes (where desirable) in public policies
toward agriculture.
 While it is rarely possible to measure the cost and
benefit ratio of an FSR/E research program directly, it is
possible to evaluate progress against goals and
objectives, if these have been clearly stated. It may also
be necessary to include measures or indicators of progress
in data gathering and analysis activities. For example,
the rate of adoption of technology introduced under the
program is one indicator of progress, as are the net farm
incomes, levels of production per unit area, or total
production from an area measured over time. Readers
familiar with the complexity of measuring such indicators,
particularly under multiple cropping systems, will
recognize the problem of objectively measuring program
success.
 Adding to the complexity, both research and farm
managers must take into consideration the consequences of
recommendations and decisions, not only for the current
cropping season but also for future seasons. For example,