The growth in agricultural R&D investments around the world has slowed considerably in the past 20-30 years, even though most experts agree that there is substantial underinvestment in agricultural R&D. Introducing a simple economic model of the ex ante selection of R&D projects allows us to make a more insightful interpretation of the available ex post rate-of-return evidence. Two sets of factors can be identified that determine the level of investment in agricultural R&D: (1) the ex ante choice set of R&D projects for a given domain and time and (2) the extent to which the assumptions of full information and selection rationality apply

The rural economy's contribution to development: summary of findings and policy implications; The rural contribution to development: analytical issues; The rural contribution to development: policy issues.

Justin Yifu Lin's groundbreaking account of how developing countries can help themselves—now fully updated How can developing countries grow their economies? Most answers to this question center on what the rich world should or shouldn't do for the poor world. In The Quest for Prosperity, Justin Yifu Lin—the first non-Westerner to be chief economist of the World Bank—focuses on what developing nations can do to help themselves. Lin examines how the countries that have succeeded in developing their own economies have actually done it. Interwoven with insights, observations, and stories from Lin’s travels as chief economist of the World Bank and his reflections on China’s rise, this book provides a road map and hope for those countries engaged in their own quest for prosperity.

Why has an economy that has done so many things right failed to grow fast? Under-Rewarded Efforts traces Mexico’s disappointing growth to flawed microeconomic policies that have suppressed productivity growth and nullified the expected benefits of the country’s reform efforts. Fast growth will not occur doing more of the same or focusing on issues that may be key bottlenecks to productivity growth elsewhere, but not in Mexico. It will only result from inclusive institutions that effectively protect workers against risks, redistribute towards those in need, and simultaneously align entrepreneurs’ and workers’ incentives to raise productivity.