ISHS Acta Horticulturae 495: WCHR - World Conference on Horticultural Research
MARKET - LED HORTICULTURAL RESEARCH - DOES THIS PROVIDE WHAT THE INDUSTRY NEEDS?' |
| Author: | G. R. Dixon |
| Abstract:
Production Horticulture, also termed Commercial Horticulture, absorbs and applies scientific innovation and new technologies at a far higher rate than other land - based industries. In this characteristic Production Horticulture resembles the pharmaceutical or the information technology industries. The efficiency gains obtained by rapid application of innovation permit horticulture to remain viable without protection from tax - derived public subsidies of production (Dixon, 1994). Regrettably organisations whose function is horticultural research have failed to capitalise the intellectual property rights (IPR) available from the products of research. Hence in comparison with other science - led industries horticulture has been reliant upon publically funded research. The application of even relatively small amounts of public funding have, however, yielded very substantial gains for the horticultural industry and in turn helped create national wealth. Despite this high return on investment public funding for horticultural research has been diminished at a substantial rate in both Europe and North America. Government policies in the UK, for example over the past two decades have deliberately diminished the capacity for horticultural research. Such reductions in public funding have been justified on the criterion that since the research is of great value to the industry hence the industry must be prepared to pay for it. This criterion is naïve and potentially damaging where it is applied in the absence of detailed understanding of the processes of research, the manner by which innovation is applied and the structure of the industry which is asked to provide financial support. This poster discusses the manner by which scientific knowledge is gained and the processes by which it may be translated into industrial practice with particular reference to horticulture. Taking this structured approach improves the effectiveness of the translation of knowledge. As a result there is even greater industrial efficiency which in turn accelerates wealth creation, increases employment and ensures that resources are used to maximum benefit for the individual entrepreneur and more generally for the community. | |
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