Science and Technology Mailing List Archive

["James BISCOE" <<address removed>>]

Replying to the comments earlier by D Dalrymple.

It occurs to me that support for long term research is one thing, long term 
support for research is something else.

There is not only the issue of the duration of particular research endeavours 
but also the need for continuity across a series of research projects of 
varying duration.

Each project being the subject of a short term project/contract is in my 
experience expensive in terms of negotiating and setting up each project and 
leads to a range of short term inputs being made spasmodically.
Are there not mechanisms which can be developed to give long term support to 
particular areas of research on the ground thereby saving on the whole 
repetitive negotiating and bidding business and giving continuity of support to 
the area of work? 

Research needs to be rapidly responsive to demand in certain areas, not to lag 
five years behind because it takes that long to set up and execute a project.

Lastly, on demand leading supply. I agree. In my experience the best source of 
information on the  demand for research comes from extension. Extension staff 
are out in the field meeting farmers, giving them advice and thereby know what 
circumstances have changed and where the advice needs to be further worked 
upon? Of course it is also important that extension know what research are up 
to on a regular basis. The rare bird who can do and gets the opportunity to 
fulfil both functions (as I have had the fortunate opportunity to do) is at 
once a better extension adviser and a better research manager, seeing both 
sides of the fence.
Thank you
James Biscoe
1/5/04
1045hrs