Affiliations: Model and Database Coordination Laboratory, Agricultural Systems Research Institute, USDA, ARS, BARC-W, Bldg. 007, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
Note: [*] We wish to thank Dr. Thomas Army, Deputy Administrator of ARS, for having the foresight to establish a systems research laboratory.
Abstract: Despite its enormous productivity, American agriculture is suffering serious economic problems. Many feel that these problems require better ways to bring science information and knowledge to bear on the solution of these problems. Computer facilitated simulation models and expert systems with their supporting databases represent one approach to accomplish this goal. But carrying out this new interdisciplinary research to deal with holistic systems is easier said than done. Some of the most complex biological systems exist in agriculture. This paper examines the question of what needs to be done, and suggests possible system research approaches for reaching the goal of solving the agriculture of today and the future.
Keywords: Agriculture, systems research, computer models, interdisciplinary research, collaborative research, team research, technology transfer
