Agricultural research and development in Eastern European countries: Challenges and needs

Abstract

All the countries in Eastern Europe are in a state of transition towards a market-oriented economy. Although these countries differ in many respects, they have in common some four decades of central and administrative planning. The transformation of these countries has to take place. The course of future agricultural development will depend on the policies regarding ownership of land and of other basic resources (livestock, management and organization of feed, breeding, health of animals, marketing, agroprocessing services), prices, and incentives. Maintaining good environmental quality will have to play an important role in agricultural development, taking into consideration health and welfare of humans, plants, and animals for a sustainable social and economic development. Agricultural research, development, and extension are the cornerstones on which market-oriented agricultural systems in Eastern European countries are to be rebuilt in order to meet domestic demand and increase export opportunities. The greatest emphasis should be on appropriate applied programs adopted to the new orientation and structure. This paper was presented at the Symposium, Science, Technology and Economic Growth: The Case of Eastern Europe, Washington, DC, November 13–14, 1991.