AGRICULTURAL KNOWLEDGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL-REGULATION IN THE NETHERLANDS - A CASE-STUDY OF THE CROP PROTECTION PLAN

Environmental regulations oblige the Agricultural Knowledge System in the Netherlands to adjust to the concept of sustainability after a lon g period of serving productivity. This paper examines how agricultural research, extension and education reacted to the introduction of the Crop Protection Plan (sharp reduction of chemical inputs). Research in a horticultural region provided the data for an appraisal of a variet y of reactions in the knowledge system and among growers. The developm ent of scientific knowledge is based on linear models and focuses on r eady-made recipes for adoption. Extension workers often seem to know l ittle about integrated agriculture, cannot step out of their customary 'expert' role, and seem unwilling and unable to work as facilitators with farmers in a joint search for alternatives. Farmers are seen as a dopters or users of science-based rules. The case study suggests that growers are willing and able to search for more sustainable methods of production, but so far this resource has not been sufficiently tapped to develop a knowledge system supporting more sustainable forms of ag riculture.