Summary

The dramatic increases in food prices experienced over the last four years, and their effects of hunger and food insecurity, as well as human-induced climate change and its implications for agriculture, food production and food security, are key topics within the field of agronomy and agricultural research. Contested Agronomy addresses these issues by exploring key developments since the mid-1970s, focusing in particular on the emergence of the neoliberal project and the rise of the participation and environmental agendas, taking into consideration how these have had profound impacts on the practice of agronomic research in the developing world especially over the last four decades. This book explores, through a series of case studies, the basis for a much needed 'political agronomy' analysis that highlights the impacts of problem framing and narratives, historical disjunctures, epistemic communities and the increasing pressure to demonstrate 'success' on both agricultural research and the farmers, processors and consumers it is meant to serve.

Whilst being a fascinating and thought-provoking read for professionals in the Agriculture and Environmental sciences, it will also appeal to students and researchers in agricultural policy, development studies, geography, public administration, rural sociology, and science and technology studies.

Choice Review

Neither agriculture nor agricultural research is apolitical. That is the hard truth proposed in Contested Agronomy. According to the editors, "Economic, institutional, and political pressures help to push agronomic science in particular directions...." Contestation refers to differing visions of that direction and ways these visions play out in agriculture, particularly agriculture in developing countries. Sumberg and Thompson (both, Univ. of Sussex, UK) do an excellent job of compiling case studies, framed by introductory and concluding chapters, that address what they call "political agronomy" since the 1970s. The book highlights three key developments: neoliberalism, environmentalism, and participatory research. The first two developments are evaluated in the first half of the book, which addresses how free market forces influence agricultural policy and at times conflict with efforts at environmental conservation. The last half of the book covers participatory research; this section discusses why hierarchical transfer of agricultural science can be a poor model to promote adoption of new technology. Because they are case studies, some chapters are self-serving, but the general tenor is a balanced assessment of the thesis topic. Useful for a wide readership. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals; general readers. M. S. Coyne University of Kentucky