THE STATES ROLE IN FINANCING AGRICULTURAL-RESEARCH

Recent declines in public agricultural research funding in developing countries may not be as severe or as universal as widely perceived, al though some research systems are clearly constrained, An analysis of t he economic characteristics of agricultural research suggests that the re may be some crowding-out of private finance, but the harnessing of additional private resources depends critically on enhancing the profi tability and appropriability of research benefits, while the case for increasing levels of public funding on research with greater public go od characteristics remains strong. However, the justifiable scrutiny o f the state's role in financing agricultural research should not be at the expense of continued efforts to improve the efficiency of agricul tural research delivery and the management of existing funds.