1. Field Trials - their importance to agriculture in emerging economies Lars Byrdal Kjær Head of Department for Field Trials and Statistics AgroTech

2. 1 field trial is better than 1000 assumptions

6. (million 2000 international dollars) 1981 1991 2000
Global public agricultural-research spending
Expenditure
(million 2000 international dollars)
1981
1991
2000
Developing countries
6,904
9,459
12,819
Sub-Saharan Africa
1,196
1,365
1,461
China
1,049
1,733
3,150
Asia and Pacific
3,047
4,847
7,523
Latin America and the Caribbean
1,897
2,107
2,454
Middle East and North Africa
764
1,139
1,382
Developed countries
8,293
10,534
10,191
Total
15,197
19,992
23,010

9. Indicators on agricultural input
Average Arable Permanent Cropland in hectares
(2000)
Agricultural labor
% Of total Labor Force
(2001)
Tractors per hectares of cropland
Average fertilizer use ( kg per ha of cropland)
WORLD
1,497,365
44.3
17.6
91.1
EUROPE
305,891
8.4
35.9
72.5
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
176,712
62.0
1.3
11.5
- Denmark
2,289
3.6
53.8
159.9
- Mozambique
4,135
80.3
1.4
3.5
- South Africa
15,712
9.3
4.6
48.2

12. Land preparation in Africa:
89 % worked manually
1 % worked mechanically
10 % worked by animal traction

16. Serious problems / huge challenges
Investment in research and development in developing countries, particular Sub-Saharan Africa, is decreasing.
The richest countries are shifting their focus away from developing productivity enhancing technologies towards biomass production, animal welfare issues and environment. As a result, the technological spillover will decrease leaving the poorest countries in a vacuum.

17. Serious problems / huge challenges
Research and development as well as farmers and advisory organizations are not structured adequately.
The infrastructure impedes the development and spread of new technologies.
Trade barriers hinder the export of agricultural goods from poor countries to rich countries.

18. The single most important factor that will increase food productivity is to increase investments in research and field trials.

19. Research should focus on:
New farming systems
Growth assurance; sustain soil fertility; fairly high yield; input of fertilizer and pesticides; GMO
Development of new equipment and machinery
Screening of varieties and development of new varieties with better traits

20. Basic research Applied research Simple trials /demo Applied knowledge
From basic research to applied knowledge
University
Basic research
Sector Research
Applied research
On-farm trials
Simple trials /demo
Advisory service
Applied knowledge

21. On-farm trials Low input of equipment and money High input of manpower
Early involvement of role-model farmers
Feedback to research