Will Haiti benefit from setting up an agricultural research center? A foresight quantification. Issue 5 (10th June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bairagi, Subir; Durand-Morat, Alvaro
• Is Part Of: Foresight. Volume 22:Issue 5/6(2020)
• Page Start: 599
• Page End: 616
• Publication Date: 2020-06-10
• Subjects: Haiti -- Social benefit -- Investment -- Technology adoption -- Agricultural productivity -- Research and development (R&D); Forecasting -- Periodicals; Policy sciences -- Periodicals; 320.05
• DOI: 10.1108/FS-11-2019-0100
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1463-6689

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: Investments in agricultural research and development (AgR&D) have been an engine of agricultural productivity growth; as a result, food security and poverty situations have improved in many countries around the world. However, in Haiti, a small Caribbean country, neither has any formal agricultural research center (ARC) been established nor has a significant amount of money been invested for AgR&D. This paper aims to quantify whether setting up an ARC would be beneficial for Haiti. Design/methodology/approach: A fixed-effects regression, the International Model for Policy Analysis of Agricultural Commodity and Trade impact and benefit – cost ratio (BCR) measures are used to estimate future benefits from setting up a new ARC in Haiti. Findings: A total of US$21.0m annual investment is required for the proposed ARC, which could generate up to US$1.16bn in social benefits during the next three decades. In terms of BCR, if one dollar is invested for AgR&D in Haiti, the payoff could be US$1.33-4.52. Therefore, establishing an ARC is crucial for Haiti, as it is expected to generate positive benefits for society by helping formulate pro-farmer policies as well as disseminating modern agricultural technologies among farmers. Originality/value: Because, to the best of the authors' knowledge, there is no such study in Haiti's perspective, this study contributes to the country's literature evaluating the feasibility of establishing a new research center in Haiti with a partial equilibrium economic model.