A snapshot of agricultural research investment and capacity in Asia

Stads, Gert-Jan. 2015. A snapshot of agricultural research investment and capacity in Asia. Washington, DC and Bangkok, Thailand: Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) and International Food Policy Research Institute. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/150913

Agricultural research was one of the main drivers behind the enormous increases in food production in South, East, and Southeast Asia (referred to as “Asia” in the remainder of this report) during the twentieth century. The implementation of research-based agricultural methods and new technologies enhanced the quantity and quality of agricultural outputs, and led to rapid economic growth and poverty reduction. Despite these tremendous advances, Asia is still home to more than half of the world’s poor. Most of them live in rural areas where agriculture remains the main source of employment and income.