ABSTRACT
Seeking an explanation to the actual status of agricultural research

Rafael Novoa S.-A.1
 

Agricultural research in many countries, including Chile, is under severe economic restrictions, privatization, new structural organization and challenges concerning its activities. The question is why? Various possibilities are discussed: poor understanding of the importance of research, what it is doing, which are its results; unawareness of social and economical benefits produced by research and, negative ecological impact of some new technologies. Although many reasons were identified. no satisfactory explanation could be found.

Keywords: agricultural research, problems, rates of return.
1 Centro Regional de Investigación La Platina (INIA), Casilla 439, Correo 3, Santiago, Chile.