Agricultural Research and Technology in the 1990s in Asia and the Near East: Trends and Possible Strategies for A.I.D. (Agency for International Development)

摘要

Agricultural research has paid off in the past. Recent studies of the major field crops indicate that research by Asian governments, by the International Centers of the CGIAR and by the international and national research systems working together have consistently produced high rates of return to government investments. A few recent studies suggest that private R and D also produces high social rates of return. Public research on the basic grains has had a generally favorable impact on income distribution. Much of the benefits from modern varieties have been passed along to consumers in the form of lower prices. Since purchases of basic grains make up a large share of the income of the poor, they benefit much more than the rich who spend little on grain. Agricultural research will continue to be a productive investment in the 1990's.