'FARMING RESEARCH CANNOT BE HALTED'

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30779, 17 June 1965, Page 1

'FARMING RESEARCH CANNOT BE HALTED'

Any view that agri be halted for 10 years t centrated on, without ; farming industry, was * misleading,” the princi (Dr. M. M. Burns) toki of the Dominion agrict ated Farmers at Hanim

"Intensification of research in agriculture is not only the lest investment that can be made, but it is absolutely essential to provide the knowledge for attaining the production plateau necessary in the 1970-1980 decade,” Dr. Burns said. He said he wanted to stress the value of research work and its long-term nature—particularly at present when so many of the problems were difficult ones—because all too often he heard the comment from farming leaders that research could be halted for 10 years and concentration be expended on advisory work. ■ lands for research work were tight, but by applying' the principle of accepting

[cultural.research could ind advisory work conany serious loss to the "unrealistic and grossly ipal of Lincoln College 1 the annual conference ilture section of Federer Springs yesterday.

money from any source for sound projects, the annual research funds have been growing steadily. Advisory work was complementary to research work and to assist the farmer in increasing production it would be necessary to step up the advisory services so that the farmer had the opportunity to plan a development and man agement programme incorporating the latest research findings in relation to his financial situation. Dr. Burns said the advisory services had been under-rated and under-staffed for so long that it would be many years before those services could be built up to optimum level.