Economic Perspectives in Agricultural Systems Analysis

The paper highlights the great diversity of economic research on agricultural systems, through the presentation of selected approaches: modern farm management, farming systems research, agricultural household economics, French Africanist rural economics, and behavioral and multidisciplinary systems studies. Major differences among these studies are highlighted, in terms of research aims, organization and issues, type of 'systemic' approach followed, theoretical framework, use of formal modeling, and the role of fieldwork. Trends in popularity of the different research types are discussed. The authors recommend integrating an institutional perspective in economic research on agricultural systems and broadening the research agenda.