English

Overall, agricultural research staff and expenditures in Syria increased in 2003 compared to the 1998 level. Nonetheless, research intensity levels in Syria are still lower than in other countries in West Asia and North Africa. In 2002, the organization of agricultural research in Syria was consolidated with the merger of nine preexisting agricultural research entities under MAAR to form GCSAR, which is largely funded by the national government but receives limited funding for research projects from  bilateral and multilateral donors.

Since the beginning of the 1980s, agricultural researcher numbers in Morocco have steadily risen. Agricultural R&D spending followed a more erratic trend in response to  fluctuations in national government funding and (foreign) donor support, though spending has trended steadily upward in recent years, given the Moroccan government’s renewed commitment to developing the agricultural sector. Morocco’s principal agricultural R&D agency, INRA, was highly dependent on government funding throughout 1991–2002, particularly because donor funding contracted over that time.

During 1996-2003, total agricultural research staff and expenditures in Jordan rose steadily. In 2003, the country spent close to $13 million (in 2000 prices) on  agricultural R&D. Compared to many other countries in West Asia and North Africa, Jordan distinguishes itself in having a very high research intensity ratio—not uncommon for a country with a low AgGDP share, a small population and high per capita income.

Agricultural researcher totals in Vietnam increased steadily during 1991–2003, reaching nearly 3,000 fte’s in 2003. The country’s agricultural R&D expenditures almost tripled throughout 1996–2002 as a result of an increased commitment by the national government to financing agricultural research, as well as a rise in donor  support. Nonetheless, average expenditures per researcher and research intensity levels are still lower than in many of Vietnam’s Southeast Asian neighbors.

During 1981-2003, the number of agricultural researchers in Sri Lanka increased steadily. Agricultural R&D spending also rose throughout this period, albeit more erratically. In 2003, total expenditures amounted to $60 million (in 2000 constant prices). Research agencies focusing on export plantation crops reported remarkable increases in their total spending levels over the previous two decades. Combined spending totals at the eight agencies under MALLI, however, remained relatively unchanged during the same period.

In 2005, agriculture accounted for 14 percent of the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP), down from 23 percent in 1982. Despite the decreasing importance of  agriculture in the country’s GDP and exports, the sector still represents a priority area to the Philippines as roughly three-quarters of the rural poor depend on agriculture for employment and income. Agricultural research and development (R&D) is crucial in alleviating rural poverty and it is therefore granted a priority by the Philippine government.

Agricultural researcher totals in the Philippines have increased gradually over the past two decades. In fact, with close to 4,000 fte researchers in 2002, the  Philippines has one of the largest agricultural research systems in Asia. Nevertheless, average scientific qualifications of Philippine agricultural research staff are  relatively low: less than half of all agricultural researchers held postgraduate degrees in 2002. In terms of total agricultural research spending, the Philippines ranks behind more economically advanced Asian countries.

Total fte agricultural researcher numbers in PNG rose steadily until 2001 and thereafter contracted as a result of restructuring and retrenchment of less productive staff. The country’s agricultural R&D expenditures followed a more erratic trend. NARI struggled in its first years of operation, but a change in government brought renewed support and a commitment to ongoing funding. NARI is now expected to be able to draw important foreign donor projects and generate substantial internal revenues from its activities in the years to come.

Agriculture forms the backbone of Pakistan’s economy. The sector contributes 25 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and employs almost half of its labor force. For these reasons, agricultural productivity growth is a key factor in Pakistan’s economic development and poverty alleviation objectives. In turn, agricultural research and development (R&D) is crucial in generating agricultural productivity gains through new and improved crop varieties, cropping practices, labor-saving technologies, postharvest and processing methods, and marketing mechanisms.

With nearly 3,600 fte researchers in 2003, Pakistan has one of the largest agricultural R&D systems in Asia. However, agricultural researcher totals in Pakistan have increased only slowly during the past two decades, mainly as a result of prolonged periods of recruitment restrictions. In addition, at just 15 percent in 2003, the  share of Pakistani agricultural research staff trained to PhD level is relatively low, compared to some of Pakistan’s South Asian neighbors.