Bangladeshi and international agricultural research: Administrative and economic issues

Agricultural research systems can be a key element in the transformation and modernization of LDC agricultural sectors. International research organizations can effectively complement those within LDCs. However, in the absence of adequately administered agricultural research/innovative systems within a country and appropriate linkages between national and international research systems, an LDC is likely to obtain few benefits from international research. Institutions like IRRI and CIMMYT have played a useful role in transferring technology to Bangladesh in the three phases of material transfer, design transfer and capacity transfer. Yet organizational difficulties, low research intensities and inadequate linkages between research, extension and farmers within Bangladesh are major deficiencies. These lead to inefficiency in research resource allocation and the transmission of research results both within Bangladesh and from international sources. A number of reforms in the administration of agricultural research in Bangladesh seems desirable as a means towards greater economic benefits, even though a rational comprehensive approach seems impractical and probably undesirable.