practices which control soil erosion, preserve soil
moisture, and improve soil structure and fertility may
reduce current earnings but also may improve future income
and family security. Similarly, the planting of perennial
crops, including trees for fuel and timber production, may
reduce short-term profits but substantially increase
future earnings. Conversely, practices or crops which
mine soil fertility may increase current profits but
endanger future earnings.
 The rate at which new technology is adopted will
depend foremost upon its acceptability to farmers. It
also depends upon the effectiveness of government systems
in providing the necessary support infrastructure,
including roads, inputs to the production process, access
to credit, and markets for products which are produced.

REGIONAL INTERINSTITUTIONAL COOPERATION

 The International Agricultural Research Centers and
larger regional centers, such as CATIE in Central America,
have played and will continue to play a key role in
support of national research programs, particularly in
three areas: 1) germ plasm collection and advanced
breeding; 2) training of scientists, commodity
specialists, and technical staff; and 3) exchange of
technical information through publications, special
subject seminars, and exchange visits among scientists and
other specialists. Many of the international and regional
centers have been active in developing FSR methodology and
networks because of complementarity with their program
objectives. This activity constitutes a natural link with
national programs, which are best able to take advantage
of the resources provided by the centers in the way of
material, training, and information.
 Other public and private enterprises which either
have a direct interest in the information flowing out of
an FSR/E program or could provide information and
materials helpful to the FSR/E process include:
 a) agencies responsible for national economic
 surveys, development plans, farm surveys, or
 censuses;
 b) enterprises producing or marketing improved
 seeds, pesticides, and farm equipment;
 c) farm credit agencies which provide short-term