In this paper, which is based on a review of archival and published primary and secondary sources from many repositories in Mexico, France and the United States, we discuss the impact of French agronomy on the development of this scientific discipline in Mexico. We consider the evolution of Mexican agronomy in the context of the nation's political history, discuss the rise of French influence during the nineteenth century, examine the impact of the introduction of other foreign models of agricultural science after the Mexican Revolution (1910-20), and evaluate Mexico's decision to adopt the agricultural science of the United States as a model for the development of Mexican agronomy after 1940. Using this discussion we demonstrate that French agronomy had a crucial impact on the early development of the discipline in Mexico. Further, although the French model eventually lost out to the agricultural science of the United States, the Mexican agronomists' early ties to France ensured that French agronomy continued to exercise some influence in Mexico after 1940.
This article traces the evolution of the 'discourse of plant breeding' through four periods of Mexico's history: The Age of Liberalism (1880-1910), the era of revolution and reform (1910-40), the 'Economic Miracle' (1940-68) and the crisis of the revolution (1968-94). The development of plant breeding played a critical role in the professionalisation of Mexi can agronomy, and reflected larger changes in the Mexican political system, society and economy. Mexico's agronomists took advantage of political changes to establish and cement an alliance with the state and used it to advance the interests of their profession. The agronomists' struggled to find a place in society during the Age of Liberalism and finally obtained limited assistance from the state by offering to advance its economic pro ject. The Mexican Revolution (1910-20) gave them an opportunity to serve the state's political agenda by participating in its land reform and cultural programmes. During the 1940s and afterwards the agronomists maintained their alliance with the state by becom ing plant breeders and producing the Green Revolution, which contributed to the Eco nomic Miracle and deflected criticism of the land reform. Lastly, I evaluate the impact of the crisis of the revolution on Mexican agronomy and consider how the agronomists' path to professionalisation affected Mexico's agricultural development.
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