Human resources in agricultural research: Three cases in Latin America

Abstract

One of the major elements of the process of generating new knowledge is a critical mass of highly trained human resources. Most of the countries of Latin America have given broad recognition to this fact and have made considerable effort to train researchers and specialists in the agrarian sciences, as a basis for strengthening their agricultural research institutions. Nevertheless, mounting evidence shows that a considerable proportion of the personnel trained in these programmes have not become permanent participants in research endeavours in their countries of origin. Some, although remaining in their countries, have abandoned the field of agricultural research. In some cases, this phenomenon appears to have reached what could be considered abnormal levels, and poor salaries are claimed as the major constraint. This paper analyses the training and migration process of highly trained personnel. It is based on three case studies, covering the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) in Argentina, the La Molina National Agrarian University in Peru and the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA) in Colombia. These case studies analyse the training and emigration process as one element in a broader context of institutional relations, including the personal stories of individual researchers, as well as the environments in which they function. The economic issues are thus seen as an important element which is interrelated with other factors, such as possibilities for professional development and recognition and the outlook and social acknowledgement of research activities and institutions.