Bridging the Gap: Revitalizing Public Sector Agricultural R&D

Thank you to Dr. Michael Kantar with the University of Hawaii at Manoa for your insightful presentation!

Connecting research, innovation, and adoption in agriculture

Public sector agricultural R&D is facing significant challenges, from declining funding and staff to gaps in connecting research with real-world adoption. Here’s a concise look at the key issues and potential ways forward.

Defining Roles and Partnerships

The public sector should support rather than compete with industry. Duplication leads to inefficiency and wasted resources. Strong public-private partnerships are essential, blending academic research with private sector expertise to scale new varieties successfully.

Leadership, Incentives, and Local Strategies

University leaders can drive greater impact by designing incentives that prioritize community benefit and tangible outputs—not just knowledge generation. Breeding programs are moving toward locally tailored solutions, using global gene banks and technology to develop crops that fit diverse market needs.

Training, Engagement, and Stakeholder Connections

Universities must commit to training future breeders and producing useful material, beyond just research. Long-term engagement with stakeholders is vital, as many lose motivation when communication ends with project funding. Consistent outreach and extension programs can help maintain these critical connections.

Action Items

• Stay connected with university extension services and leadership.

• Encourage requests for new cultivar releases.

• Learn from models like FAR in New Zealand.

• Support initiatives such as PSA’s letters or videos as a way of demonstrating ongoing engagement.

By focusing on collaboration, practical outcomes, and stakeholder engagement, agricultural innovation can be revitalized for the benefit of all.