China's agricultural innovation system

Agricultural research has been an engine of agricultural growth in China over the past 30 years. With rising food demand, China’s leaders believe agricultural technology is a major solution to improving the nation’s food security. They have developed a national agricultural Research and Development (R&ampD) system and have tried to reform this system so that the technologies generated can be more responsive to farmer demands. Since 1985, the government has invested significantly in R&ampD, particularly in recent years government R&ampD investment increased by more than 15% during 2000-09. However, China’s agricultural research and extension face significant challenges as a public-dominated system that has its pros and cons. The leaders are well aware of the weaknesses of this system and have recently sought to encourage the private sector to join public efforts in the agricultural R&ampD system. If this is to happen, it is expected that a new era in China’s agricultural R&ampD will develop.

Improving Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems: OECD Conference Proceedings

China's agricultural innovation system

Issues and reform