The future of agricultural research

I.D. Dick

Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Wellington

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Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1960, 20: 13-41

This paper is divided into two parts dealing with organization and future research requirements respectively. Because of the claim that the present organization of agricultural research in New Zealand functions reasonably well in comparison with overseas organizations, the paper stresses that it would be more profitable for agricultural research administrators to consider what is the best type of research to do, rather than the best form of organization in which to carry it out. Attention is drawn to the fact that all research organizations largely financed by public funds will necessarily have restrictions placed on the research administrators. When one considers the type of restrictions applied to overseas bodies, it is difficult to see how any form of organization would give more freedom in New Zealand than already possessed. It is also stressed that the biggest single danger in any of the proposed new organizations in New Zealand is the danger of monopoly.

The main theme of the second part is to stress that agriculture is an industry which starts with the cultivation of the soil. the production of the farm product its processing, its distribution and marketing; and that the chain is not satisfactorily completed till a profitable sale has been made to a satisfied consumer. It is argued that the present pattern of research is unbalanced; that 92 per cent. of all Government funds for agricultural research is spent on research for production inside the farm gate. It is urged that more work at a higher level be done in the areas of farm management and economics, everyday processing, and attempts to find industrial uses of New Zealand's farm products. It is finally pointed out that the usual excuse that New Zealand is a small country is irrelevant. On world standards the agricultural industries are large industries, and, if they are to compete successfully in the future, they will have to spend proportionately the same amount of money on research as other large-scale industries.

Keywords: NZSAPAB;

Last Updated 24-08-2000