Role of sociologists and cultural anthropologists in the development, adaptation and transfer of new agricultural technologies.

Abstract

Despite the amount of discussion on the role of sociology and anthropology in agricultural research over the last two decades, the number of sociologists in agricultural research stations is still remarkably low. On the basis of recent literature and two research projects in the Dominican Republic and the Philippines, the potential roles and placement of sociologists in agricultural research are elaborated. The roles discussed are those of trainer/sensitizer, provider of methods, go-between/translator, monitor/evaluator, assessor of social impact, analyser of the creation and use of indigenous knowledge, accommodator, scout, developer of group technologies, and analyser of the functioning of agricultural research. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)