Overview
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Advances in agricultural productivity have led to abundant and
affordable food and fiber throughout most of the developed world.
Public and private agricultural research has been the foundation
and basis for much of this growth and development. Studies have
shown that public investment in agricultural research has resulted
in large economic benefits with annual rates of return between 20
and 60 percent (see Economic Returns to Public Agricultural Research,
2007).
Technology transfer holds promise for improving incomes and
welfare throughout the world. The major goals of this ERS research
program are to:
- Quantify productivity improvements associated with research and
development,
- Investigate the direction and efficiency of the public and
private sectors in enhancing the stock of agricultural knowledge
and in developing new technologies.
- Assess the economic value and cost of preserving and providing
public access to genetic resources and genetic diversity.