ISHS Acta Horticulturae 495: WCHR - World Conference on Horticultural Research
POLICY ISSUES IN HORTICULTURAL RESEARCH FUNDING |
| Author: | J. Janick |
| Abstract:
Research is a cornerstone of economic growth and development in agriculture (Fuglie et al,. 1996). In the United States agricultural research, supported by a combination of federal and state government and the private sector, has transformed US agriculture from a resource-based to a science-based industry. Agricultural research continues to be a solid public investment with an annual rate of return of 35% with returns shared by consumers, farmers, and investors. These high rate of return indicate that further allocation of funds to agricultural research would be beneficial and desirable with benefits spilling over beyond the national borders. Funding policy issues for horticultural research are a subset of the same issues for agricultural research. A number of broad policy considerations are involved including international and national food policy; nutrition health, and environmental issues; agricultural sustainability, rural stability and preservation of community values; and economic development. But because research organizations throughout the world are often organized along commodity lines, there is conflict and competition among agricultural research entities for support. Examples include animal agriculture vs. plant agriculture, agronomic vs. horticultural crops, food crops vs. industrial and ornamental crops, each lobbying for its own commodity or trade groups. Horticultural researchers often find themselves in a defensive position because they deal in a tremendous number of species which individually have the stigma of being considered minor crops. In addition, many horticultural crops gown for amenity purposes are considered by some to be nonessential or trivial despite their economic importance. Furthermore, the emotional issues of world hunger and famine often creates a bias favoring research in feed grains (the basic food crops) which are high in calories relative to traditional fruits and vegetables, which are high in nutritional factors such a vitamins and minerals. A good case can be made that bickering among commodity groups is counterproductive and that the agricultural researchers need to coordinate efforts to increase the total investment in research rather than fostering intense competition for declining resources. A rising tide raises all boats. World population (Table 1) is expected to increase to 11.7 billion in 2100 from 5.3 billion in 1990 (Bongarrts, 1995). The 150% population increase expected in the developing world as compared to 24% in the developed world poses a serious challenges for agricultural research. The mission for agricultural research must be to make it possible to combat rural poverty, malnutrition, and hunger, to improve the economic well being of all involved in the agricultural sector; and to provide the benefits of abundant agricultural products at prices that benefit both consumers and producers. At the present time agricultural research is carried out by several different entities. Included are national and international research organizations, universities, and the private | |
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