This book provides a detailed history of farming systems research (FSR). While it includes the application of FSR to developed country agriculture, its main focus is on FSR in its original role, with small scale, resource-poor farmers in less developed countries. There are some 40 contributions from nearly 50 contributors from 20 countries, illustrating both the diversity and yet the coherence of FSR. The five parts of the book cover: (1) FSR - understanding farmers and their farming (FSR origins and perspectives; understanding farming systems); (2) the applications of farming systems research (FSR in technology choice and development; FSR in extension and policy formulation); (3) institutional commitment to FSR (FSR: some institutional experiences in national agricultural research; dimensions of the organization of FSR; training for FSR); (4) FSR: the professional dimension (regional and international associations; FSR and the professional disciplines); and (5) cutting edge methods, abiding issues and the future for FSR.

This collection offers a comprehensive view of the commonalities and diversities of the farming systems research and development (FSR&D) approaches being applied around the world. The authors–among the leading practitioners in FSR&D–discuss conceptual frameworks, research methodology, data collection, and several ongoing FSR&D programs. The book is a must for anyone interested in gaining a concise, yet broad view of this new and growing field of research and its importance to small-scale farming in developing countries.