A significant number of agricultural impact assessment studies have been conducted during the last three decades. These studies have demonstrated the considerable contributions of agricultural research towards improved productivity, profitability, and the sustainability of agribusineses. Brazil is one of the countries where this type of study was frequently utilized. EMBRAPA, a govemment research company, conducts the majority of impact assessment studies in this country. The most frequently posed questions are, how useful is this type of research and how does it impact on agricultural research funding and research institutions themselves? The principal aim of this paper is to present clear evidence that the development and use of impact assessment studies in Brazil predominantly served to strengthen the position of EMBRAPA. Brazilian impact studies began in the early 1980s in response to demands made by Brazilian society, who were interested in the efficacy of significant state investments in agricultural research. Initial studies demonstrated that funding from the national treasury and international loans (IDB and World Bank) invested in infrastructure and human capital in the EMBRAPA's research centers generated high returns. During the next two decades, the Brazilian government continued to invest in EMBRAPA. This allowed the institution to develop a modern, nationwide infrastructure of agricultural research and to adjust the human capital profile dedicated to research activities. In 1974, only 17% of researchers had MSc and PhD degrees. In less than 10 years, this figure changed to 75%. In reality, less than 5% of EMBRAPA's staff lack postgraduate training. Calculated in 1993 dollars, resources allocated to EMBRAPA increased from an average of US$245 million in 1976-80 to more than US$450 million during the 1990s. Continuous public support allowed EMBRAPA to offer competitive salaries, maintain a well-trained research staff, and provide good conditions in which staff could develop their research activities. This context was fundamental for the institution. It enabled a continuous flow of technological outputs that have progressively been integrated into Brazilian agriculture. EMBRAPA was continually asked to demonstrate the efficacy of high state investments. The importance of EMBRAPA's role in the development of agricultural technology has been systematically demonstrated through impact assessment studies conducted by EMBRAPA and other Brazilian research institutions. EMBRAPA has underwritten the validity of its impacts research by stressing the close collaboration of Yale University's International Food Policy Research Institute and the University of Califomia-Davis in the development of impact assessments. The use of foreign researchers, with international experience and using diversified methodological approaches, has played a vital supporting role in EMBRAPA's accountability reports. Evidence to support EMBRAPA's important role in the modernization of the agribusiness sector can also be found in annual progress reports where the role of crop varieties in the seed market and other technologies are clearly shown. Aggregate studies demonstrating the link between agricultural research, increased exports, and agricultural technological change have also been contracted to well known economists with influence over the Brazilian decision- making process. A further kind of impact assessment is the annual social balance. Here, EMBRAPA demonstrates that its technological outputs are also generating social benefits. Another aspect of the EMBRAPA policy is the adoption of an integrated evaluation and award system based on results. All its research centers have been evaluated since 1996. Evaluations are based on economic efficiency (DEA- Data Envelopment Analysis), research funding grants, institutional image, technological impact and research quality. The best teams and employees are awarded annually. As this award is not incorporated into staff salaries and varies according to performance, it has stimulated a general increase in institutional productivity and effectiveness of research centers. Finally, it should be noted that impact assessment studies are still making a difference in EMBRAPA. This is due to the adoption, in the mid-1990s, of an aggressive policy of communication and marketing. Economic, social, and environmental impacts of agricultural research outputs have been effectively communicated to congress and the government and, more recently, to the general public. EMBRAPA's marketing policy clearly recognizes the role of partnerships, state research organizations, universities, CGIAR centers, and the private sector in agricultural technology development. If impact assessment studies are being conducted but are not making a difference, there are two possible explanations-either impact assessments are not being conducted effectively or assessment results are not being communicated effectively to decision-makers. At EMBRAPA, there is strong evidence that impact assessments are important and are making a real difference. They are also strengthening EMBRAPA's institutional image within Brazilian society.

English

0310|AGRIS 0301|AL-Economics Program|R01PROCE

Juan Carlos Mendieta

CIMMYT Publications Collection