The document discusses the challenges facing strategic operations research (OR) in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, and fisheries industries. It notes the long-term economic decline and lack of government investment in these industries. It raises questions about whether large multinational companies, international organizations, or tools like e-journals can replace the strategic leadership role once filled by governments and dedicated university programs. It is skeptical that any of these alternatives can adequately address the spatially heterogeneous and locally-dependent nature of agricultural systems.

1. Daniel Sandars Cranfield University, UK
Lluis Pla University of Lleida, SPAIN
Javier Faulin Public University of
Navarre. SPAIN
OR Practice:
The fate of strategic applied OR;
W(h)ither Agriculture, Horticulture,
Forestry, Fisheries, etc! Or w(h)ither not?

2. OR Practice: The fate of strategic applied OR2
Introduction
There is long term economic decline in the biotic
primary production industries as sources of
employment and thus students. Globalisation adds its
toll as the food chain concentrates into control by few
multi-national companies. Long-term capacity
building research investments are out of fashion in
many national governments.
That’s fine?

3. OR Practice: The fate of strategic applied OR3
Questions (I)
1) Through farmers and fishermen society access many
increasingly scarce ecosystems services, such as
bio-diversity and clean water. Society doesn't expect
to pay so OR will not pay?
2) World population might yet hit 9 billion with many of
our lives. For the first time in a generation food
security has been thrown into question in the
developed world. Are we back in business?

4. OR Practice: The fate of strategic applied OR4
Questions (II)
3) In the absence of a strong strategic governmental
lead can the large companies with their vast data and
financial resource take up the slack? That'll never
work, beyond some short term-tactical profit-
maximising studies, with no regard to societal
interests? Perhaps consumers and farmers will be
king!
4) It maybe that it is supra-national organisations such
as multi-nationals, the FAO or the EC to take the
lead? That'll never work because agriculture is so
spatially heterogeneous and needs local knowledge?

5. OR Practice: The fate of strategic applied OR5
Questions (III)
5) When the last agricultural student has left university
we will simply get applied biologists and
mathematicians to collaborate. Rubbish! Multi-
disciplinary collaboration does not lead to good
interdisciplinary science?
6) Are e-tools and open-access journals the answer to
maintaining critical mass and vitality in an
increasingly sparse profession without the support of
dedicated university departments and research
establishments?

6. Daniel Sandars Cranfield University, UK
Lluis Pla University of Lleida, SPAIN
Javier Faulin Public University of
Navarre. SPAIN
OR Practice:
The fate of strategic applied OR;
W(h)ither Agriculture, Horticulture,
Forestry, Fisheries, etc! Or w(h)ither not?

7. Daniel Sandars Cranfield University, UK
Lluis Pla University of Lleida, SPAIN
Javier Faulin Public University of
Navarre. SPAIN
OR Practice:
The fate of strategic applied OR;
W(h)ither Agriculture, Horticulture,
Forestry, Fisheries, etc! Or w(h)ither not?