Agricultural research organization in the developing world : diversity and evolution

Basic organizational forms are first described: the ministry model, the autonomous or semiautonomous institute, the university model, the agricultural research council, and private sector research organizations. Succeeding chapters outline the main organizational trends in Asia, Latin America, and post-colonial Africa, followed by a discussion of the commonalities and differences in these trends. Successful formats, it is concluded, are those which adapt to changing environments. Stress is laid on the fact that in post-colonial Africa, by contrast with Asia and Latin America, research institutions have not flourished for two reasons - the lack of local demand for research as an integral part of development and donor emphasis on solving specific problems rather than on creating new capacity. Areas for future study are suggested.