Knowledge, science, and practice in ecological weed management: farmer–extensionist–scientist interactions - Ecological Management of Agricultural Weeds - page 108

in any country based on their contrasting perspectives (Table 3.1), no knowl-
edge community is rigid and unchanging. In practice, each community is a
loose network of interacting individuals. These individuals face institutional
rules or community traditions. In some interactions, individuals follow
accepted procedures and reinforce the rules.In other instances, they resist rules
and develop new agendas (Long,1992).The incorporation of the concept of sus-
tainability into agricultural science illustrates the dynamic nature of knowl-
edge within a community. Originally a minority opinion, sustainability is now
central to many debates on agricultural technology. The meaning of sustain-
ability, however, is still being negotiated.
Each one of us, whether farmer, extensionist, scientist, or student, could
draw a map of our perspectives on weed knowledge and management, what
we consider the most important concepts, from whom we have learned, and
with whom we consult (Engel, 1997, pp. 160-73). In making the map, each of
us would demonstrate what and whom we consider important, also leaving a
great deal off the map that others might include. Our maps would be a
product of both our concrete experiences with weeds as well as with whom we
have worked. Maps for two different individuals, even within knowledge
communities, could be quite different.
Grouping similar maps serves to identify the networks that operate within
knowledge communities. Networks are subunits of knowledge communities
characterized by different repertoires or local application of knowledge (Long
& Villareal, 1994). Among weed researchers, the subunits include weed biolo-
gists, weed modelers, range scientists, and industry and public sector herbi-
cide physiologists. Some researchers may also farm or do extension, and
therefore overlap between two knowledge communities. Extensionist net-
works are often delimited by region and country, the specialization of client
farmers, and the distinction between public sector and industry sales.Among
farmers,networks may be local or regional and differ by farm size or crop mix.
The role of family and gender in farmer networks varies greatly among
regions and cultures. In western Sudan, a vegetable project initiated work
with male extensionists training male farmers, only to discover later that
most crop production was managed by the women of the community (Ishag et
al ., 1997). Gender and culture also shape knowledge communities in research
(Hess, 1995, pp.27-32).
This description of knowledge communities is pertinent to improving
weed management. To reduce crop losses to weeds and the costs of their
control, the three communities must have effective and productive linkages.
Formal linkages through systems of research and extension have used differ-
ent modalities such as technology transfer, training and visit, and more