Basic and Applied Research in Farming Systems

An Anthropologist's Appraisal

Bibliographic Data

ID2499129
AuthorsB Brush (0000-0002-0412-4030, University of California, Davis, corresponding author), Stephen Brush
Year1986
Volume45
Issue3
Pages220-228
Publication date1986-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueHuman Organization (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0018-7259 • E-ISSN: 1938-3517
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.17730/humo.45.3.0210lx703055hp12
OpenAlexW2068107861
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited10

The relation of basic anthropological research to applied Farming Systems Research (FSR) is discussed. A case study involving two anthropologists engaged in basic research on Andean agriculture who collaborated with a FSR program of the International Potato Center is examined. This case shows that cooperation is feasible and beneficial, although serious constraints exist. Constraints arise from differences in objectives and methodologies and from structural differences between basic and applied science. Difficulties in integrating basic research into the applied FSR program are seen in the themes of community and traditional practice in agriculture. FSR can contribute to anthropology by helping to build effective multidisciplinary teams to study agricultural systems. Anthropological research on agriculture, particularly cultural ecology, benefits from adopting the commodity focus of FSR teams and from a redefinition of holism

Agriculture · Archaeology · Geography · Social science · Sociology · Systems research · Agriculture, Land Use, Rural Development · Anthropology · Forestry · Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies

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