This book owes its origins to a collation of some of my publications for which a higher doctorate (Doctor of Agricultural Science) was awarded by the University of Melbourne in 2004. In that guise it was titled: Integrating Reductionist Research into International Agricultural Development: Re-conceiving Agricultural Research for Development; Technical Support for Development; Thai Agriculture; International Agriculture; Agricultural Education. It was thus an attempt to seek continuity across my research and development activities around various countries up until that time and to distill from it some conclusions that might inform future directions for international agricultural research and development. The citation from the higher doctorate read: ‘to John Lindsay Falvey who, from 30 years’ research combining technical, social, environmental, policy and historical research in the developing world, challenged the simple importing of agricultural technology. He demonstrated that indigenous knowledge and culture is critical to sustainability, food security and human development, thereby potentially benefitting millions of persons participating in international development projects.’ The citation is both an exaggeration and an understatement. It may or may not have assisted millions of persons – how can anyone know. But in another sense, the work revealed the lost element of wholeness that once characterized good science, good lives and wisdom. The information presented here is snippets from papers and books that strive to make that revelation explicit. Its partial prototype benefitted in presentation and explication from my colleagues who formed the panel for the higher doctorate deliberations, Professors David Chapman, Adrian Egan and Robert White.

Agricultural Education remains fundamental to civilization. It is the most consistent productive income of Australia, which is one of the world’s very few net agricultural exporters. Victoria, with only about three percent of the Australia’s area, has been its major source of agricultural output. These three factors – underpinning civilization, creating wealth, and intensity in south-eastern Australia – make Victorian agriculture and its education of national importance and international significance. The Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Melbourne, at times complemented by La Trobe University and such colleges as Burnley, Dookie, Gilbert Chandler, Glenormiston, Longerenong, Marcus Oldham and McMillan, has underpinned sustained rises in productivity and profitability. But coordination and consistency have not always been its hallmarks. This history reveals that Agriculture at Melbourne began amidst controversy, grew to fame under a great Dean, at times rested on its laurels and others was dragged into organisational experiments. Its 22 Deans over its 110 years typify the calling evident in its staff. Frequently a leader, the Faculty has recently strengthened its animal sciences by joining with the veterinary sciences – but that is for a future history.