The development of a quantitative method for setting research priorities: A critical assessment

This article critically assesses an interdisciplinary research effort to build a new tool for conducting farming systems analysis (FSA). It was envisioned that this new tool, named quantified farming systems analysis (QFSA), would overcome some of the problems that confront the classical FSA techniq...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Agricultural systems 1998-02, Vol.56 (2), p.145-165
Main Authors: Nibbering, Jan Willem, van Rheenen, Teunis
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Development Economics
Development Economics Group
Erosion and Soil and Water Conservation
Leerstoelgroep Erosie en bodem- en waterconservering
Leerstoelgroep Ontwikkelingseconomie
MGS
Ontwikkelingseconomie
PE&RC
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Summary:This article critically assesses an interdisciplinary research effort to build a new tool for conducting farming systems analysis (FSA). It was envisioned that this new tool, named quantified farming systems analysis (QFSA), would overcome some of the problems that confront the classical FSA techniques. At the onset of this endeavour expectations were high and they have been presented at several international symposia (for example, at Bangkok, 1991, Colombo, 1992, and Wageningen, 1993). This article deals with one way of tackling the first phase of QFSA, i.e. the setting of research priorities for long-term development, which resulted in the farm level optimal resource allocation (FLORA) procedure. The manner in which this was accomplished and the extent to which the anticipated results were achieved are evaluated. It is concluded that, although the way in which FLORA was eventually developed differed from what had been envisaged, it offers a more objective and quantitative procedure for setting research priorities in view of long-term development goals.
ISSN:0308-521X
1873-2267
DOI:10.1016/S0308-521X(97)00029-2