Participatory approaches for sustainable agriculture: A contradiction in terms?

Murray Bruges and Willie Smith ()

Agriculture and Human Values, 2008, vol. 25, issue 1, 13-23

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. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media, Inc. 2008

Keywords: Agriculture; Case studies; Learning; New Zealand; Participatory approaches; Policy; Sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10460-007-9058-0

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