Research on World Agricultural Economy

Agricultural Research in Colombia: Counterpoint with the Brazilian System

Heiber Andres Trujillo

Department of Crop Science, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ), University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Pádua Dias 11, Piracicaba, SP, 13418-900, Brazil

Carlos José Caetano Bacha

Department of Economics, Administration and Sociology, Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (ESALQ), University of São Paulo (USP), Av. Pádua Dias 11, Piracicaba, SP, 13418-900, Brazil

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36956/rwae.v4i2.848

Received: 22 April 2023; Received in revised form: 23 May 2023; Accepted: 29 May 2023; Published: 1 June 2023

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Abstract

This paper analyzes the evolution and structure of Colombia's agricultural research network, paying special attention to the role of government expenditures in modeling this system. The authors also compare the Colombian agricultural network with the path followed by the Brazilian agricultural sector, which has been considered a pattern in South America. For this purpose, a bibliographic review and historical and institutional data are presented. Although agricultural research in Colombia began in the early 20th century, it has evolved more recently with the creation of different public and private institutions linked to the National Science and Technology System. However, agriculture and its research sector have faced major challenges related to government endowments that are needed to fund infrastructure and demand for researchers, as well as lower competitiveness compared to their Brazilian counterparts determined by social profit.

Keywords: Competitiveness; Technological development; Institutions; Social profit

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