Research and Development
Over the past half century or so, hundreds of studies have been published reporting measures of agricultural productivity, the effects of agricultural research and development (R&D) on agricultural innovation and productivity patterns, and the resulting social payoffs to investments in agricultural.
To some extent, yield growth can be achieved through improved use of existing technologies. Access to and use of irrigation, fertilizer and agricultural machinery remains limited in some developing countries. However, targeted research and development will also be required to generate new technologies (seeds, animal vaccines and so on) that allow burgeoning food demand to be met. (FAO 2013)
Effective agricultural research, development, and training are necessary to meet global food, feed, and fiber needs on a sustainable basis. National governments conventionally deploy public resources to their capability for this purpose. However, their extent and effectiveness is usually inadequate to meet the challenge. Some countries have also engaged the private sector to various extents to strengthen these efforts.
The benefits of this additional support vary depending upon the extent and effectiveness of the public-private partnership established for the purpose which Partners Against Hunger was founded. This note highlights the significance of such partnerships and provides some guidelines on establishing them in Kenya among other developing countries to effectively meet their agriculture-based needs.