Making science more effective for agriculture

Victor Sadras; Julian Alston; Pedro Aphalo; David Connor; R. Ford Denison; Tony Fischer; Richard Gray; Peter Hayman; John Kirkegaard; Holger Kirchmann; Martin Kropff; H. Renee Lafitte; Peter Langridge; Jill Lenne; M. Inés Mínguez; John Passioura; John R. Porter; Tim Reeves; Daniel Rodriguez; Megan Ryan; Francisco J. Villalobos; David Wood

doi:10.1016/bs.agron.2020.05.003

Making science more effective for agriculture

Victor Sadras, Julian Alston, Pedro Aphalo, David Connor, R. Ford Denison, Tony Fischer, Richard Gray, Peter Hayman, John Kirkegaard, Holger Kirchmann, Martin Kropff, H. Renee Lafitte, Peter Langridge, Jill Lenne, M. Inés Mínguez, John Passioura, John R. Porter, Tim Reeves, Daniel Rodriguez, Megan RyanFrancisco J. Villalobos, David Wood

UWA School of Agriculture and Environment

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference paper › Chapter › peer-review

44 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The challenges facing global agriculture via population increase, climate change and dietary choices are unprecedented and urgent. In the context of declining public funding for research and development in agriculture (ag R&D), we highlight the historically high returns on such investments and outline an economic rationale to continue government involvement through support and policy ag R&D. Next, we illustrate the substantive agricultural impact of science and technology, and reveal cases where oversimplification, reductionism and lack of rigor compromise returns on investment. Ex situ conservation of genetic resources, organic agriculture, soil health and the water footprint illustrate issues that need attention because they feature flaws in important aspects of agricultural theory or practice with implications for policy and investment. We conclude with high-level propositions for improved allocation of ag R&D resources.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Advances in Agronomy
Editors	Donald L. Sparks
Publisher	Academic Press
Pages	153-177
Number of pages	25
Volume	163
ISBN (Print)	9780128207697
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.agron.2020.05.003
Publication status	Published - 2020

Publication series

Name	Advances in Agronomy
Volume	163
ISSN (Print)	0065-2113

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/bs.agron.2020.05.003

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Sadras, V., Alston, J., Aphalo, P., Connor, D., Denison, R. F., Fischer, T., Gray, R., Hayman, P., Kirkegaard, J., Kirchmann, H., Kropff, M., Lafitte, H. R., Langridge, P., Lenne, J., Mínguez, M. I., Passioura, J., Porter, J. R., Reeves, T., Rodriguez, D., ... Wood, D. (2020). Making science more effective for agriculture. In D. L. Sparks (Ed.), Advances in Agronomy (Vol. 163, pp. 153-177). (Advances in Agronomy; Vol. 163). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.agron.2020.05.003

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abstract = "The challenges facing global agriculture via population increase, climate change and dietary choices are unprecedented and urgent. In the context of declining public funding for research and development in agriculture (ag R&D), we highlight the historically high returns on such investments and outline an economic rationale to continue government involvement through support and policy ag R&D. Next, we illustrate the substantive agricultural impact of science and technology, and reveal cases where oversimplification, reductionism and lack of rigor compromise returns on investment. Ex situ conservation of genetic resources, organic agriculture, soil health and the water footprint illustrate issues that need attention because they feature flaws in important aspects of agricultural theory or practice with implications for policy and investment. We conclude with high-level propositions for improved allocation of ag R&D resources.",

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Sadras, V, Alston, J, Aphalo, P, Connor, D, Denison, RF, Fischer, T, Gray, R, Hayman, P, Kirkegaard, J, Kirchmann, H, Kropff, M, Lafitte, HR, Langridge, P, Lenne, J, Mínguez, MI, Passioura, J, Porter, JR, Reeves, T, Rodriguez, D, Ryan, M, Villalobos, FJ & Wood, D 2020, Making science more effective for agriculture. in DL Sparks (ed.), Advances in Agronomy. vol. 163, Advances in Agronomy, vol. 163, Academic Press, pp. 153-177. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.agron.2020.05.003

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AU - Sadras, Victor

AU - Alston, Julian

AU - Aphalo, Pedro

AU - Connor, David

AU - Denison, R. Ford

AU - Fischer, Tony

AU - Gray, Richard

AU - Hayman, Peter

AU - Kirkegaard, John

AU - Kirchmann, Holger

AU - Kropff, Martin

AU - Lafitte, H. Renee

AU - Langridge, Peter

AU - Lenne, Jill

AU - Mínguez, M. Inés

AU - Passioura, John

AU - Porter, John R.

AU - Reeves, Tim

AU - Rodriguez, Daniel

AU - Ryan, Megan

AU - Villalobos, Francisco J.

AU - Wood, David

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AB - The challenges facing global agriculture via population increase, climate change and dietary choices are unprecedented and urgent. In the context of declining public funding for research and development in agriculture (ag R&D), we highlight the historically high returns on such investments and outline an economic rationale to continue government involvement through support and policy ag R&D. Next, we illustrate the substantive agricultural impact of science and technology, and reveal cases where oversimplification, reductionism and lack of rigor compromise returns on investment. Ex situ conservation of genetic resources, organic agriculture, soil health and the water footprint illustrate issues that need attention because they feature flaws in important aspects of agricultural theory or practice with implications for policy and investment. We conclude with high-level propositions for improved allocation of ag R&D resources.

KW - Biotechnology

KW - Nitrogen

KW - Policy

KW - Research and development

KW - Soil

KW - Water

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BT - Advances in Agronomy

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PB - Academic Press

ER -

Making science more effective for agriculture

Abstract

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UN SDGs

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