Articles
FUNDING, MANAGEMENT AND ORGANISATION: THE KEY ISSUES FACING RESEARCH IN HORTICULTURE TODAY AND TOMORROW
The first is the close link to local and/or regional socio-economic (as well as geographic, traditional) situations.
The wealthier developed countries tend to regard research as an in-house preserve of their own whereas the emerging nations, albeit evincing an expanding production trend, are faced with a lack of resources that adversely affects planning, technology and funding.
Next is the paradox that the advanced nations, while indeed having enormous human and technological resources at their command for research, have very tenuous relations with the countries most in need of it to increase and upgrade the output and quality of their produce.
Whence the role of international cooperation in closing this gap.
For example, large international agencies in the public-sector are broadening their efforts worldwide by networking with other public-sector organisations while the private sector seeks other ways to fund research, most of which are directly linked to economic objectives.
Cooperation between the public and private spheres within the framework of a globalisation of interests and commercial exchanges can play a fundamental role so long as the two spheres can unite their forces and resources.
This basic idea should include study and training exchanges anchored to the use and development of the most compatible, local, human and technical resources so that investments in a given country are productive and successful.
Such a policy can be implemented by the public-sector organisations as a preparatory step to the follow-up initiatives by the private sector.
Inter-professional and inter-disciplinary scientific societies can provide an ideal beacon in this connection through planning projects, identifying objectives and implementing integrated modes of action.
The advanced economies must understand that preserving their status depends on revising their outlook and attitude by taking into account environmental equilibria and the new principles of sustainable, integrated agriculture.
For their part, the emerging economies must try to give new impetus to their resources, without destroying those which are non-renewable, to take advantage of research and to re-invest locally so as to advance the cause of research.
The WCHR sees its task as a proponent of cooperative efforts aimed at improving research, its quality and effectiveness, so as to improve the way and quality of life of the global community.