Download Document

The Role of S&T in increasing
agricultural productivity in the
LDCs
Lisa Borgatti
Role of S&T in increasing
agricultural productivity
•
•
•
•
Importance of Agriculture
How technology change occurs in LDCs
Role of Spillovers
Financing of Agricultural R&D
- from Donors
- from local Governments
How important is agriculture in
LDCs
• Agriculture accounts for 1/3 of GDP
• Agricultural land accounts for 40% of
land area
• 70% of population lives in rural areas
• A 1% increase in crop yield reduces the
number of poor by over 6 million. (Thirtle et
al., 2003)
Innovation in the LDCs
• What is 'innovation'?
• Innovation as source of economic growth
and poverty alleviation
• Role of research
International Spillovers
• Spillovers come from:
- developed countries
- international research institutes,
i.e. CGIAR
- other developing countries
Finance R&D: Government - 1
Chart 2: Agricultural research intensity
2
1.8
1.6
1.4
%
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
2001
1998
LDC
1995
1992
1989
1986
1983
1980
1977
1974
1971
ODC
Finance R&D: Government - 2
Chart 3: Agricultural intensity ratio for the LDCs and
long term projection
1.5
1.5% target
1.3
1.1
Projections
%
0.9
0.7
0.5
0.3
0.1
2015
2011
2007
2003
1999
1995
1991
1987
1983
1979
1975
1971
-0.1
Financing R&D: Donors - 1
% of total
Chart 5: Agricultural research
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
LDC share in commitments
LDC share in disbursements
Financing R&D: Donors - 2
• Donors' interest in developing agricultural
capabilities in the LDCs is falling
• Donors' priorities have switched towards
ODCs
• Aid provided to upgrade agriculture in
LDCs amounts to a tiny 0.03% of
agricultural GDP
Conclusions
• Existing technology and research should be
capitalized on
• Greater Government involvement and greater
role for international research centers
• Aid allocation must be in line with LDC's
domestic development needs
• For its pro-poor effect, agricultural research
must become one of donors' priorities