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Welcome Address
S. P. R. Weerasinghe1
This is a historic occasion. It is the first time a serious attempt has been made to
evaluate the benefits accruing to technologies developed within a farming systems
perspective. The presence of the Honorable R. M. Dharmadasa Banda, minister of
Agricultural Development and Research, and his Secretary Mr. Dixon Nilaweera is
a clear recognition of the importance attached to farming systems research. It is also
a sign of appreciation to the efforts of scientists who contribute to the enhancement
of agricultural productivity. Their research has a direct influence on the farmers who
are the providers of food for our people. We are also privileged to have with us
Dr. F. A. Bernardo, deputy director general of International Programs, International
Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Dr. V. R. Carangal, coordinator of the Asian
Farming Systems Research Network at IRRI, and Dr. John Graham and Dr. John
Hardie from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), which
provided the necessary funds to make this farming system activity a reality.
These studies would not have come to fruition were it not for the concerted
effort and dedication of scientists from the national programs in South and
Southeast Asia and from the international centers. This workshop is an opportunity
to critically review the impact of farming systems research, to identify the advances
and weaknesses, if any, and to make recommendations to enable national
agriculturil research systems to reorient future programs.
Within the context of diminishing arable land per capita and declining
incomes from farming, especially from rice, this workshop is most timely. Although
science and technology have made rapid advances in the past few decades, the
application of new technologies in different farming situations has not had the
desired effects on agricultural production and farm income.
Asian farmers have adopted a farming system that has gone through a
process of evolution. The goals of these farmers were subsistence for their families
and preverltion of land degradation. Scientists have taken time to comprehend the
aspirations of farmers, but questions must be asked about the ways that advances in
science and technology have been translated to farmers.
Farming systems research should not be confined to the development of
technology packages to increase production. Trade, postharvest handling and
processing, input supply and marketing, and many other factors are integral to
farming systems research and can be adopted by farmers to increase the production
potential of their resource base. These areas have not been included in systems
research to the desired extent, but they are of paramount importance to the farmer.
'~irector of Agriculture, Sri Lanka.