More state funding for agricultural R&D would create jobs
Dwindling public spending has led to an increase in privately funded research, which risks prolonging the inequality between large and small farmers
There is consensus that investments in agricultural research & development (R&D) enables firms in the sector to improve their productivity and competitiveness and subsequently boost the entire economy. Spending on SA agricultural R&D has deteriorated over the past two decades due to a low budget allocation to state institutions such as the Agricultural Research Council.
For example, a study by the Centre for Research and Evaluation of Science and Technology at Stellenbosch University showed that public spending on agricultural R&D has been on the decline, as real spending growth averaged 5.1% a year between 1911 and 1950, then rose to an annual average of 7% from 1950 to 1971. Thereafter real spending in agricultural R&D ceased to grow...
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