Investment Trends
Innovation processes that give rise to new ideas and new technologies and so spur agricultural productivity typically involve many years, if not decades, of investments in agricultural research and development (R&D). Knowledge of these R&D investment trends is helpful in making general assessments about technology futures; this section provides links to and information about these trends.
Recent digests and policy briefs developed in conjunction with HarvestChoice
 | Pardey, P.G., J.M. Alston and J.S. James. “Agricultural R&D Policy: A Tragedy of the International Commons.” |
 | Pardey, P.G., J.M. Alston, J.S. James, P.W. Glewwe, E. Binenbaum, T.M. Hurley, and S. Wood. “Science, Technology and Skills.” Prepared as a background paper for the World Development Report 2008: Agriculture for Development, of which the full report and all associated background papers are available at the web link below. view full report | web link |
The ASTI undertaking is an IFPRI led, Gates Foundation funded project that compiles, processes, and makes available internationally comparable data on institutional developments and investments in agricultural R&D worldwide. In addition, ASTI analyzes and reports on these trends in the form of occasional policy digests for research policy formulation and priority setting purposes. The project involves a large amount of original and ongoing survey work focused on developing countries, but also maintains access to relevant data for developed countries. The project maintains collaborative alliances with a large number of national and regional R&D agencies, as well as international institutions.
ASTI country briefs
ASTI databases
Recent digests and policy briefs arising from the ASTI project
 | Pardey, P.G., J.M. Alston, and R.R. Piggott (eds). Agricultural R&D in the Developing World: Too Little, Too Late? Washington D.C.: International Food Policy Research Institute, 2006. web link |
 | Pardey, P.G., N. Beintema, S. Dehmer, and S. Wood. Agricultural Research: A Growing Global Divide? IFPRI, Food Policy Report No. 17, August 2006. |
 | Beintema, N.M. and G. Stads. Agricultural R&D in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Era of Stagnation. Background Report. Washington DC: International Food Policy Research Institute, 2006. |