Analysis from USDA’s Economic Research Service looks at the relationship between public and private investments in research and development and their importance in agricultural input industries. According to USDA’s Chief Scientist Catherine Woteki – agriculture is more dependent on scientific innovation than any other industry. Woteki says the recent ERS study shows the great job that private industry is doing in research – much of which was built on the genetic technology USDA scientists have been working on for decades. She says it’s crucial to continue supporting this kind of research and development.

Globally – most of the increase in ag production over the past 50 years can largely be attributed to rising crop and livestock yields. As private sector investments comprise a greater and growing share of overall R&D spending – the findings from the ERS study will help trace their influence on future productivity gains. The study also shows that growth in private funding is helping to offset the sluggish growth in public research and development.

The ERS study is the first of its kind to provide comprehensive estimates and analyses of private sector R&D for agricultural input industries. Agricultural inputs are defined as animal genetics, animal nutrition, animal health, farm machinery, fertilizers, crop seed and biotechnology and agricultural chemicals.