Publisher's Synopsis
Contents: Part I. How well do Agricultural Knowledge Systems (AKS) respond to new challenges? 1 Global and US trends in agricultural R&D in a global food security setting; 2. Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems in transition: Findings of the SCAR Collaborative Working Group on AKIS; 3. Australia's approach to rural research, development and extension; 4. China's agricultural innovation system: Issues and reform; 5. Agricultural R&D in Africa: Investment, human capacity and policy constraints; 6. Responses to new agricultural challenges Part II. Institutional framework for improving the responsiveness of AKS; 7. Perspectives from the UK foresight global food and farming futures programme; 8. Experiences with CGIAR reorganisation 9. Institutional AKS reforms in New Zealand and international networks; 10. Innovative institutional approaches for AKS management in India; 11. Raising awareness of agricultural knowledge and information system in Spain; 12. Responses of the French AKS to new agricultural challenges Part III. Public/private roles; 13. Intellectual property rights and the role of public and levy-funded research: Some lessons from international experience; 14. The role of business in working with government to develop AKS for global challenges: The New Zealand experience; 15. Partnerships in agricultural innovation: Who puts them together and are they enough? 16. The role of innovation brokers in the agricultural innovation system Part IV. Regulatory framework conducive to innovation; 17. The European Union system for health and consumer protection; 18. The United States approach for fostering new biological technologies and ensuring their safety; 19. Breeding business: Plant breeder's rights and patent rights; 20. Public-private partnerships: The role of the private sector Part V. Facilitating adoption of innovations and technology transfers; 21. A rainbow revolution and participatory plant breeding: Combining traditional knowledge and modern science; 22. A farmer's experience with biotech crops in South Africa; 23. Latin America: Public agricultural advisory services; 24. The Brazilian Agricultural Research for Development (ARD) System; 25. Facilitating adoption and technology transfers: Discussion Part VI. Responding to broader policy objectives; 26. Final round table: Responding to broader policy objectives Part VII. Conclusions; 27. Summary of some key issues raised and implications for the policy agenda in OECD countries;28. Implications for OECD work
