RESOURCE-ALLOCATION FOR AGRICULTURAL-RESEARCH

The allocation of resources for agricultural research is investigated in this paper. A theoretical model for optimal allocation of research resources is developed and conditions are derived for an optimal solution. The model is applied to existing data for 12 crops and lines of production in Israel during the period 1978-1987. The actual allocation and the discrepancy between the actual allocation and the optimal allocation of resources to the crops considered is explained in a regression model by two groups of variables: policy variables and political pressure variables. The results support the findings of previous studies that political pressure plays a major role in the process of resource allocation for argicultural research. © 1991.