AFSR/E

AFSR/E (Association for Farming Systems Research and Extension) represents a unique movement of agricultural professionals from five continents and diverse disciplinary and institutional backgrounds. The Association was created to support the development and adoption of improved technologies through the participation of farmers in agricultural research, in order to meet their needs and to utilize natural, agricultural and human resources in an efficient, equitable and sustainable manner. From 1980 to 1986 an annual symposium, which brought together scientists and others concerned with development, was supported financially by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other major American foundations. The participation by many scientists from developing countries reoriented research towards the problems encountered in the South. In 1989 AFSR/E was founded and the FSR/E Journal and Newsletter were launched. In 1992 the AFSR/E board proposed a major shift in the structure and operation of the Association in recognition of the growing strengths of farming systems activities and institutions in the different regions of the world. The Association was incorporated in the Philippines as a non-profit, international institution and each regional network and association elected their own representatives to the AFSR/E Board. Most regions have already held network meetings and earlier this year regional network meetings were held in eastern and southern Africa. It has been decided to move to a two-year symposium cycle to be hosted on a rotating basis in the regions. The AFSR/E Board is committed to the creation of opportunities for international peer review of successes and disappointments within the field of farming systems research, whilst building an understanding of, and respect for, different farming systems, traditions, concepts and practices.AFSR/E (Association for Farming Systems Research and Extension) represents a unique movement of agricultural professionals from five continents and diverse disciplinary and institutional backgrounds. The Association was created to support the..