Wednesday 18 July 2007

What is Research and Development for?!

"...the formal R&D of international and government institutions has largely failed to produce technology directly applicable to the situations of Low External Input Agriculture farmers. This is hardly surprising, as most formal R&D has focused on "high potential" areas and forms of agriculture. From a national viewpoint, the question can indeed be raised whether the returns from farming in marginal areas and from products intended primarily for local consumption justify high investment in formal R&D."

in Reijntjes, Haverkort and Waters-Bayer (1992). Farming for the Future. ILEIA

Come on! What are investments in R&D for?
Uhps, you are right: to increase tax returns and the power of the state...
Certainly not to support ecological sustainability and a good quality of life for the poor.

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