SUPRASYSTEM


A SYSIEM 'hich encompasses one or more smaller systems.



SYSTEM

Any set ,: elements or COMPONENTS that are interrelated and
interact ar.ng themselves. Specification of a system implies a
bound.r y ZiTmting the system from its ENVIRONMENT. Two systems
may share a common component or environment, and one system may be
a SUBSYST: or a SU-RASYSTEM of another.



SYSTEMS AP-QOACH

The holisti: approach of studying the SYSTEM as an entity made up
of all itj COlPONENIS and their interrelationships, together with
the r~lati rnships between the system and its ENVIRONMENT. Such
study may be undertaken by perturbing the real system itself
(e. g., via fARMER-M~R.NAGED TRIALS or by pre- versus post-adoption
studies oT nlw TECHNOLOGY) but more generally is carried out via
models (e.g., experiments, researcher and/or farmer managed
ON-FARM EXCRItIENTS, UNIT FARMS, LINEAR PROGRAMMING and other
mathematical simulations) which to varying degree simulate the
real system.



SYSTEMS COM-ONENT RESEARCH

COMPON.!ENT RESEARCH which is either focused on the interaction
between the particular COMPONENT and other SYSTEM components or is
undertaken specifically with a system focus in view.



TARGET AREA, TARGET REGION

A geographical area selected for a FARMING SYSTEMS RESEARCH
project based on the needs of the people living there or to take
advantage o? the area's agricultural potential. Criteria for
selection are normally set by key national and regional decision
makers.


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