AKST System in Latin America and the Caribbean: Evolution, Effectiveness and Impact

HUGO. CETRANGOLO ; JESÚS MONCADA; HERNANDO BERNAL ZAMUDIO; CECILIA GELABERT; MARCELO REGÚNAGA; MARIO ZAMPER

Agriculture at a Crossroads. Volume III: Latin America and the Caribbean. International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science, and Technology

IslandPress

Lugar: Washington DC. EE.UU.; Año: 2009; p. 77 - 115

Latin America has a rich tradition of individual and institutional efforts in agricultural science, knowledge and technology (AKST). While these have made significant contributions to food security and the agroexporting sector, they have not taken full advantage of the existing potential for agriculture-driven development. LAC?s different sub-regions have a heterogeneous AKST system structure involving public, private, local, national,regional, and international institutions and organizations of varying sizes and capabilities, as well as major differences between countries and subregions. Recently, innovative alternatives have emerged for the management of relevant bodies with the participation of civil society. However, the way the systems are put together does not respond to this diversity and potentiality?which has impeded optimizing the use of the regional AKST system, and blocked its technical spill-over effects. The needs that have been detected are the following: Strengthening AKST system institutions, particularly in the relatively less developed countries; Improving linkages and cooperation within the AKST system, including public- and private-sector users; Promoting the participation of civil society to ensure greater social oversight and moral, political, and economic support.