Agricultural Research Priorities for South Asia

Agriculture in South Asia has entered the new phase of development. The objectives of efficient and diversified growth and sustainable use of natural resources in the context of household food, nutrition and environmental security are now well recognized. The agenda is further widened with the need to participate in the trade-led growth opportunities and protection of rural poor from the negative impact of the globalization process. More recently, poverty alleviation impact of agricultural research is gaining acceptance, and therefore, it is becoming an explicit research objective. The development strategy is also shifting from resource-based production to knowledge-based production and value-addition. In the process, traditional interventions by the governments like subsidies and other direct interventions are expected to decline. This paradigm shift places tremendous importance to efficacy of agricultural institutions and technology systems. It is the nexus between technology, trade and institutions which would determine the pace and pattern of agricultural development and poverty alleviation in future. The message is loud and clear-the development and dissemination of technologies would provide competitive edge to agriculture in South Asia. This needs to be achieved in an era of shrinking public funding and expanding research objectives and complex agenda for agricultural research. How this can be achieved? Research managers need to put their expertise and wisdom together to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of the research system. The key to success is that we should integrate our efforts and direct them in the areas where they are likely to make maximum impact. The Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions has, therefore, done a commendable job to bring all the stakeholders together for developing research priorities for agriculture. Besides highlighting the developmental challenges and priority research themes to address them, the exercise has flagged a number of other important issues such as partnership between the research systems, capacity building in frontier research areas strengthening research infrastructure, policy support, etc. I am sure this report would be useful to policy makers, donors and research managers alike for directing their efforts. One may, however, further translate the priorities into specific research activities depending on the need and situation.