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Participatory approaches for sustainable agriculture: A contradiction in terms?

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Abstract

This paper examines the adoption and application of a participatory approach to the transfer of scientific research to farmers with the objective of supporting government policies for sustainable agriculture. Detailed interviews with scientists and farmers in two case studies in New Zealand are used to identify the potential and constraints of such an approach. One case study involves Māori growers wishing to develop organic vegetable production; the other involves commercial wheat farmers who want to improve their profitability and face major problems of groundwater nutrification. The paper concludes that while both case studies are characterized as successful by those involved, there is an inherent creative tension between the adoption of a participatory approach and its use to advance public policy goals.

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Abbreviations

CFR:

Crop and Food Research

ECOP:

East Coast Organic Producers Trust

FRST:

Foundation for Research, Science, and Technology

FAR:

Foundation for Arable Research

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Geography, Geology and Environmental Science, University of Auckland, 10 Symonds Street, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand

    Murray Bruges & Willie Smith

Authors
  1. Murray Bruges
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  2. Willie Smith
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Correspondence to Willie Smith.

Additional information

Murray Bruges is a geographer and Research Associate in the School of Geography, Geology, and Environmental Science at the University of Auckland.

Willie Smith is a geographer and Director of the School of Geography, Geology, and Environmental Science at the University of Auckland and has a background in public policy.

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Bruges, M., Smith, W. Participatory approaches for sustainable agriculture: A contradiction in terms?. Agric Hum Values 25, 13–23 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-007-9058-0

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