International R&D spillovers and productivity growth in the agricultural sector. A panel cointegration approach

This paper analyses, within the new growth theory framework and using panel cointegration techniques, the effect of agricultural international technological spillovers on total factor productivity growth for a sample of 47 countries during the period 1970-1992. The analysis shows that total factor productivity is influenced by domestic as well as foreign public R&D spending in agricultural sector and geographical factors matters. Countries located in temperate zones benefit more than countries located in tropical zones from technological spillovers. Finally, the analysis shows that the rate of return to agricultural R&D spending is higher in tropical countries and this could justify new support and an even greater investment of funds for agricultural R&D for these countries.