The Agricultural R&D Investment Gap in Latin America and the Caribbean

IFPRI Discussion Paper 1749

45 Pages Posted: 12 Sep 2018

See all articles by Alejandro Nin Pratt

Alejandro Nin Pratt

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Cesar A. Falconi

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)

Date Written: August 17, 2018

Abstract

Given the importance of agricultural R&D investment to sustain agricultural growth in the future, this study looks at the state of agricultural R&D investment in LAC, with the goal of identifying the level of underinvestment in the region. To do this the study uses a new indicator, the ASTI Intensity Index (AII) to measure agricultural R&D intensity in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and compares research intensity with that of other regions and between countries within the region. The index can be used to identify potential under investors, determine intensity gaps and quantify R&D investment needed to close this gap by comparing countries with similar characteristics. Results obtained using a sample of 100 countries including 29 LAC countries show that despite rapid growth in R&D investment after 2004, the region shows low levels of intensity and the largest R&D intensity gap when compared to other regions. Results also show large differences between countries in the region. The Southern Cone (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay) is among the regions showing highest levels of research intensity globally. Low levels of R&D intensity in the region are explained mainly by countries in Central America and by Andean countries. Results also show that the intensity gap represents almost 75 percent of total R&D investment in 2012 and that the region will need to increase investment from $5 to $8.5 billion 2011 PPP to close the intensity gap.

Keywords: LATIN AMERICA, CARIBBEAN, agriculture, investment, agricultural productivity, agricultural research, public expenditure

Suggested Citation

Nin Pratt, Alejandro and Falconi, Cesar A., The Agricultural R&D Investment Gap in Latin America and the Caribbean (August 17, 2018). IFPRI Discussion Paper 1749, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3241716

Alejandro Nin Pratt (Contact Author)

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) ( email )

1201 Eye St, NW,
Washington, DC 20005
United States

Cesar A. Falconi

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) ( email )

1300 New York Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20577
United States

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