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AKST Systems in Latin America and the Caribbean: Evolution, Effectiveness and Impact | 79

Box 2-1. Synthesis: Assessment of the Patronatos that support AKST-Experiences in Mexico

The Patronatos are civil society organizations that support agricultural or livestock research in Mexico. They are led and financed to varying degrees by farmers, the main users of the products and services generated by publicly funded agricultural research institutions. They are an example of synergy between civil society and government, within what is known as "participation and/or social monitoring of innovation", which helps to ensure an appropriate correlation between the AKST System agenda and users' needs, and contributes to transparency and accountability.

          The Patronatos offer the following advantages: they provide moral, political and economic support to specific research and technology transfer projects of interest to their members; they promote positive synergies between the federal institutions responsible for research and civil society (producers and agro-entrepreneurs) as well as the users of the products and services generated, such as improved seeds, vaccines, and technological know-how and innovations. They ensure that agricultural research projects meet the interests of the productive sector. In addition, they facilitate and promote the early and rapid adoption by farmers of innovations.

          The Mexican federal government, through INIFAP, covers salaries and part of the operating and investment costs, which are complemented by the Patronatos' own contributions. In times of financial crisis, this helps to reduce or mitigate government budget cuts and ensure the continuity of the research projects under execution.

          Although their effectiveness varies, other advantages offered by the Patronatos are setting research priorities based on real

 

needs; encouraging researchers to generate results that are applicable in real agroecological and economic conditions; establishing permanent communications between researchers and farmers; enhancing the credibility and acceptance of the technology generated; taking advantage of the experience and vision of farmers; administering resources more efficiently and promptly; building consensus; diversifying the sources of financing; and reducing political influence in decision-making.

          Most Patronatos have been established by groups of organized market-oriented farmers with medium to large-scale operations. Small subsistence-oriented farmers with few resources and little organization have not participated.

          The Patronatos' performance has been variable, with notable examples of effectiveness, efficiency, and continuity over several decades, and also failures due to interference by federal or state governments; the use of the Patronato and its resources for party politics; conflicts of interest in the management of resources, and the improper use of the Patronatos' products (improved seeds, services, etc.) for personal benefit.

          The Patronatos' success or failure reflects the degree of organization, education, and civic responsibility of the farmers and local officials involved, and is expressed in their solidarity on issues of community interest, as well as in joint responsibility, synergy and respect between society and the government. It would be useful to study the development, operation and performance of these institutions, since they constitute a first step in a strategy of "participatory innovation development" and are an example of "social monitoring of innovation".

 

and technology as well as regional investments. These include Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, or Brazilian Agricultural Research Institute (EMBRAPA) in Brazil, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales Agrícolas y Pecuarias, or National Forestry, Agricultural and Livestock Research Institute (INIFAP) in Mexico, Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria, or National Agricultural Technology Institute (INTA) in Argentina, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIA) in Venezuela and Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria, or Colombian Agricultural Research Institute (Corpoica) in Colombia. In other countries, investment in AKST system has been limited and no significant institutional structure exists at the national level.

          Parallel to the work carried out by NARIs, universities have played a significant role in basic and applied research, and some have made important contributions to the dissemination of technology in the region. In general, coordination between NARIs and universities has not been satisfactory and, except in some specific cases, is an aspect that deserves greater attention, since the capabilities of both types of institutions could be enhanced, as shown by some success stories.

          Certain LAC countries also have national science and technology institutions of a

  

more general nature, with additional centers specializing in topics related to agriculture and natural resources. These have made important contributions in some fields, mainly basic research. However, it should be noted that the lack of coordination between scientific research and technology development is a feature common to nearly all countries.

          In the larger countries with political structures involving decentralized resources at the provincial or state level, the AKST system usually includes public institutions of a provincial or regional nature, often specializing in certain crops, production areas, or issues of local importance. Some of these have made important contributions to the development of specific activities; such is the case of the Obispo Colombres Experimental Station, in Argentina's Tucuman Province, with regard to sugarcane production and other products of local interest.

          In most LAC Countries, the public AKST system developed vigorously in its initial stages and made substantive contributions during the 1960s, 1970s, and part of the 1980s. However, the situation changed in the last two decades, when their relative importance and contributions declined with regard to conventional/productivist agriculture vis-à-vis the private sector. This has resulted from two si-

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