2002年-世界发展银行全球_Deregulating_the_Transfer_of_Agricultural_Technology___Lessons_from_Bangladesh_India_Turkey_and_Zimbabwe_29页_609kb

Deregulating the Transfer of Agricultural Technology: Summary

Core Content

This document analyzes the impact of regulatory reforms on the transfer of agricultural technology in Bangladesh, India, Turkey, and Zimbabwe. It argues that reducing regulatory barriers to private technology introduction can lead to increased productivity, higher incomes, and better welfare for farmers and consumers. The study highlights the importance of private input companies in delivering agricultural innovations and challenges the common belief that government control is necessary to protect farmers from exploitation.

Main Points

• Regulatory Impact on Technology Transfer:
  Governments in transition and developing economies often impose strict regulations on the introduction of new agricultural technologies, which can block or delay access. However, when these regulations are relaxed, private companies and farmers respond by adopting and introducing more new technologies, leading to increased productivity and income.

• Regulatory Systems in Developed vs. Developing Economies:
  In OECD countries, regulatory systems for agricultural inputs are generally more open, with a focus on balancing performance and public health risks. In contrast, many developing economies maintain high barriers to private technology, often based on distrust of the private sector and a lack of understanding of market dynamics.

• Common Regulatory Practices:
  Table 1 outlines common regulatory practices across countries, including truth in labeling, performance testing, and the use of risk-based product listings. These practices vary in their openness to private technology, with some allowing for more flexible and market-driven approaches.

• Regulatory Reforms in the Four Countries:
  The study focuses on how regulatory changes in these four countries have affected seed and other input industries. Reforms generally followed broader economic liberalization efforts, such as removing foreign exchange controls and nontariff barriers.

Key Information

Bangladesh

• Reforms: In 1990, the government ended compulsory variety registration for all but five major crops.
• Post-Reform Regulations: Most crops now have no barriers to new varieties, but some crops like rice and wheat still have high barriers.
• Technology Transfer Impact: New vegetable varieties and hybrid maize and sunflower were introduced.
• Seed Industry Impact: More competition in vegetable seed, modest increase in field crop seed trade, and limited foreign market entry.

India

• Reforms: Seed and biotech companies were classified as core industries in 1986; investment and technology transfer barriers were eased in 1991.
• Post-Reform Regulations: Low to no barriers for private varieties in vegetables, coarse grains, and oilseeds; import barriers still exist for other crops.
• Technology Transfer Impact: A significant increase in the introduction of new cotton, sunflower, and other hybrids, with some reaching world best standards.
• Seed Industry Impact: Large private firms and foreign companies entered the market; private companies gained a larger share of seed trade, especially in hybrids.

Turkey

• Reforms: In 1983, seed price controls were removed, performance tests were reduced to one year, and most private varieties were accepted.
• Post-Reform Regulations: Low barriers to new private varieties for all crops.
• Technology Transfer Impact: A dramatic increase in the introduction of new varieties, especially sunflower and soybean.
• Seed Industry Impact: A surge in the number of private seed companies, with many being locally owned and licensed from foreign firms. Private companies now dominate the seed market for major crops like maize and sunflower.

Zimbabwe

• Reforms: In 1993, the government imposed compulsory variety registration for 11 major crops, but most varieties were accepted without performance tests.
• Post-Reform Regulations: Low barriers for established companies, but difficult for small local firms. Open-pollinated varieties are not allowed.
• Technology Transfer Impact: A large increase in the introduction of hybrid maize varieties, with less impact on other crops.
• Seed Industry Impact: Some foreign firms entered the market with local partners; the monopoly of Seed Coop in hybrid maize was eroded.

Conclusion and Recommendations

• Empirical Evidence: The study shows that regulatory reforms have led to more efficient technology transfer and increased productivity and incomes in all four countries.
• Recommendations:
  • Governments should focus input regulations on externalities and public health rather than on suppressing private technology.
  • Donors and CGIAR should support regulatory reforms that enable market entry and technology transfer.
  • Stronger legal frameworks for intellectual property rights (IPRs) and better public research support are needed to complement market-driven reforms.

Summary Table

Key Takeaways

• Regulatory reforms in developing economies have led to improved technology transfer and increased productivity.
• Private companies play a crucial role in introducing new agricultural technologies.
• Empirical evidence is lacking on the costs and benefits of regulating technology transfer, but the results from these countries suggest that openness is beneficial.
• Legal and institutional support for intellectual property rights and public research are important for sustaining private innovation and market growth.