PERSPECTIVES FOR FINANCING BRAZILIAN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

Abstract

Topics discussed and analyzed include: theoretical concepts which justify the continuity of public investment in this area; recent tendencies of federal and state expenditures in agricultural science and technology in Brazil, as well as sources of financing. The paper also presents international examples of research financing and resources allocation by institutions similar to Embrapa, as well as universities. Two case studies on resource mobilization by Embrapa's research are presented. Major conclusions are the need for continuous governmental support to research, increase in private sector research investments, and development and implementation of new forms of partnerships between the public and private sectors in order to maximize the private and social benefits of agricultural research.