Knowledge, science, and practice in ecological weed management: farmer–extensionist–scientist interactions - Ecological Management of Agricultural Weeds - page 133

A concluding note
The four case studies demonstrate that there are diverse starting points for
strengthening participatory ecological approaches to farmer weed manage-
ment. These case studies and examples are drawn from both developed and
developing countries. In the USA and Europe, a reduced farm population
occupies the best land and is supported by a substantial information infra-
structure. In Asia, Latin America, and Africa, a large rural population farms
much marginal land with only minimal support from an erratically funded
infrastructure for education and information. For improved weed manage-
ment as part of a more efficient, productive, and resource-conserving agricul-
ture, the two worlds can both be well served by strengthening
decision-making capabilities among farmers. This can be accomplished by
more effectively linking extensionists, scientists, and farmers.
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