Chambers, Robert

Considers the changes that are afoot with regard to learning, research and extension within agriculture in developing countries. Decentralization, participatory approaches and such methods are gradually becoming less marginalized, with the professional rewards of their adoption rising compared with the risks. For change to be rapid and sustainable requires the mutual reinforcement of participatory methods, new learning environments, and institutional support.

This paper discusses the need for professional change in approaches to tropical agriculture. The paper begins by recognising that on many past occasions, scientists have been wrong when they thought they were right. Recognition of these errors and limitations raises the question of the comparative advantages of our knowledge and farmers' knowledge: farmers undoubtedly know a lot that scientists do not.