The Role and Impact of Public Research and Technology Transfer in Brazilian Agriculture

The public sector played a pivotal role in transforming a traditional agriculture in Brazil into a modern one by leading the agricultural research and development (R&D) network in the country and by providing the majority of funds to R&D activities. The spillover effects arising from agricultural R&D were not restricted to the primary sector. A vibrant agricultural sector creates sizable markets for industrial and service sectors if they can deliver quality products at competitive prices. More broadly, the success of this science-based agriculture in Brazil provided the means for ample improvements in food and nutritional security; expanded opportunities for employment and income generation in agricultural (and associated) value chains; a more positive balance of trade; and a substantial attenuation of inflationary pressures. In the coming decades, the value of Brazilian agriculture to society will eventually be even bigger, as the so-called bio-economy gets strengthened. However, it is imperative to encourage a more intense engagement of the private sector in agricultural R&D activities in Brazil. Successful technological scaling-up will depend upon multi-stakeholder approaches. Knowledge exchange, capacity development and strengthening, technology transfer, extension services, and well-functioning input and market chains, to minimize detrimental effects of market imperfections on technology adoption, are key components to foster the adoption of technologies. In particular, a more widespread and inclusiveness technological adoption in Brazilian agriculture will depend on successful approaches to minimize market imperfections’ effects.