Agricultural Research and Development: Public and Private Investments Under Alternative Markets and Institutions

by Keith Fuglie, Nicole Ballenger, Kelly Day Rubenstein, Cassandra Klotz, Michael Ollinger, John Reilly, Utpal Vasavada, and Jet Yee

Empirical studies indicate high economic returns from the public's investment in agricultural research. Yet, even as society is placing broader demands on the research system, taxpayer support for public agricultural research is unlikely to increase. Stronger ownership rights for intellectual property have increased incentives for private investment in agricultural research, but key elements still require direct public support. The USDA is developing new mechanisms to build a more effective public-private partnership in agricultural research.

Keywords: agricultural research, CRADA's, intellectual property rights, research policy, returns to research, technology transfer

In this publication...

• Entire Report
• Agricultural Science Policy in an Affluent Society
• Public Support for Agricultural Research
• Economic Returns to Public Agricultural Research
• Incentives for Private Investment in Agricultural Research
• Public-Private Collaboration in Agricultural Research
• Appendix: A Critical Assessment of Estimates of Social Returns to Agricultural Research
• References
• Index