The new agricultural research and technology transfer policy agenda

Abstract

The paper draws upon a national study to analyze two issues relevant to the future effectiveness of the American agricultural technology system: (1) linkages between research and technology transfer activities; and (2) relationships between the public and private sectors. Increased commitments to basic research by the US Department of Agriculture and the state agricultural experiment stations have served to exacerbate existing strains between research and technology transfer functions and units. Both the feasibility and desirability of having USDA's Agricultural Research Service simultaneously seek to strengthen its basic research capabilities and its commitment to technology transfer have been questioned. Within the landgrant universities, multiple pressures have served to attenuate traditional ties among agricultural researchers, extension specialists, and county extension agents. Private sector activity in agricultural research and the provision of technical information has increased following the expansion in the domains of knowledge over which firms can establish property rights and the concentration of production in a smaller number of economic units. Adjustments in the activities of the public sector in response to these changes can be seen. Still, the optimal mix of public-private sector activities in both research and technology transfer has yet to be fully analyzed. Current analyses (and public policy) are excessively constrained by the “property rights” approach to technological change.