Funding and managing agricultural research in a developing country: A Papua New Guinea case study

Abstract

Purpose

To illustrate problems a developing country faces in generating and managing agricultural R&D funds and to portray some practical solutions to these problems.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study of cocoa and coconut R&D in Papua New Guinea is used to illustrate the problems and solutions associated with funding and managing agricultural R&D in a developing country context.

Findings

Several problems associated with donor funding, unreliability of funding and corruption are outlined. Solutions to these problems include fund diversification, commercial activity by the R&D provider to generate their own source of R&D funds, changes to national legislation to provide greater security of national funding for agricultural R&D and introduction of some performance‐based incentives for scientists.

Research limitations/implications

Being a case study limits the ease of generalizing its findings.

Practical implications

The issues of generating R&D funds and their governance are widespread problems in developing countries. This study shows some practical solutions to these problems.

Originality/value

This paper offers some practical solutions and insights about improved management of agricultural R&D funds in a developing country. Its findings have possible relevance for many other developing countries.

Citation

Omuru, E. and Kingwell, R. (2006), "Funding and managing agricultural research in a developing country: A Papua New Guinea case study", International Journal of Social Economics, Vol. 33 No. 4, pp. 316-330. https://doi.org/10.1108/03068290610651634