search our site     home > key topics > agricultural r&d; and productivity   agricultural research & development policy This topic deals with the appropriate role of public sector agricultural research in a rapidly changing research environment. Both economic theory and empirical studies suggest that public support for scientific research can improve social welfare. Economic analysis is important for the development of agricultural research policy, particularly priority setting for funding public investment. related briefing rooms - offer an indepth discussion synthesizing ERS research Agricultural Research and Productivity feature Regional Trends in Extension System Resources—The Cooperative Extension Service was established to disseminate information about agriculture and home economics from land-grant universities to the U.S. public. Today, Extension is largely publicly funded and links USDA's educational and research arms, land-grant universities, and related institutions. The number of full-time-equivalent Extension personnel dropped by 12 percent from 1977 to 1997, with the largest declines found in community resource development and 4-H youth programs, two of the four main Extension program areas. Regional personnel FTE allocation patterns were mostly similar to the national ones. AIB-781 (4/03) web administration: webadmin@ers.usda.gov updated: May 21, 2003  Also at ERS... latest publications (all) • Economic and Policy Implications of Wind-Borne Entry of Asian Soybean Rust into the United States • The Seed Industry in U.S. Agriculture: An Exploration of Data and Information on Crop Seed Markets, Regulation, Industry Structure, and Research and Development • Plant Genetic Resources: New Rules for International Exchange latest data products (all) • Agricultural Biotechnology Intellectual Property • Trends in Extension Staffing • State Total Factor Productivity in Agriculture resources • Contact an ERS Expert • Calendar of Releases services • Receive E-mail Updates • E-mail This Page • Translate This Page

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