Agriculture Research and Development

The Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators (ASTI) for Central America and the Caribbean conducted a two-day training workshop, which was hosted in Costa Rica. This training workshop was conducted as a component of on-going project called  "Tracking Agricultural R&D Investments and Capacities in Central America and the Caribbean".

The Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators (ASTI)  is administered by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). The ASTI is known for agricultural R&D statistics in developing countries.

Photo Courtesy of CARDI

Agriculture R&D comprises of the following tasks:

1. Compiling analyses 
2. Publishing data on institutional developments
3. Investments
4. Capacity trends in agricultural R&D in low- and middle-income countries worldwide 

Future goals of ASTI:
To work closely with CIAT, IICA, and national partners in order to conduct a new survey in Central America and the Caribbean. This survey will provide information on the size, scope, and structure of agricultural R&D in the region.

Challenges:
Lack of information in the following areas:

1. Basic information on the size and scope of agricultural R&D capacity and investments, 
2. The changing institutional structure and functioning of agricultural research agencies, 
3. Science and technologies policies

Required Tools:

1. Quantitative information - to better understand the agricultural growth. 
2. R&D indicators - to measure and monitor inputs, outputs, and performance of agricultural R&D systems. 
3. Stakeholders Observations - to identify trends in agricultural R&D investments and capacity, neglected areas, and research. 

Solution:
The Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators (ASTI) program of the International Food Policy Institute (IFPRI): 
This program is design to collect, analysis, and synthesize information on agricultural R&D investment, capacity, and policy in developing countries. It is capable of providing data trends, such as the advancement of human and financial capacity in agricultural research.

Further Steps:
Studies in 10 CARICOM states will be conducted by CARDI - who is currently under contracted with IFPRI - in order to produce sufficient data needed for the R&D investments in the agriculture sector. These CARICOM states are as follows: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.

To read more, click the title: Agriculture Research and Development