work with the technology for further research work. With global applicability of technology all parties benefit from such win-win cooperation.
Commercial Aspects The commercial organizations of the private sector will continue to focus on markets of the developed world. Fortunately many developing countries in Asia and Latin America are considered equal to the developed countries. Private sector companies should be responsible for launching and marketing joint Public Private Research results in this part of the world. However, we have a large number of countries, which are lagging behind and are not in the private sector’s view. Innovation and adapted technology must be brought to the farmers in the slow developing areas, an important task of the public sector. Private sector will certainly be prepared to support development of adapted products for specific needs. If specific IP is required, I am certain it will be made available – provided the IP position in the markets with commercial structures is not compromised. The issues of global deregulation, compliance and stewardship will also apply in this cooperative field. The logic of this view on global cooperation includes also, that the public sector withdraws from activities in fast developing countries, which can support commercial systems. As long as products are provided by public institutes, private structures cannot develop. I believe public funds should be reserved for situations, where private sector structures are not functional.
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Summary Agricultural production must go up. Productivity increase must contribute significantly. Water use efficiency as well as energy efficiency will increase in importance. Innovation will be required from all areas: Breeding, chemistry and biotechnology. However, biotechnology is expected to provide fastest progress. The scarcity of agricultural research funds in private and public sector makes it mandatory to look for cooperation. Areas of cooperation can be in research or in technology deployment to slow developing countries. Cooperation requires a clear contractual framework and clarity about each side’s interest and role. Intellectual property protection and product stewardship is core to the private sector. Biotechnology is an attractive platform as it requires no industrial structures for production. However, IP right management and product stewardship must be managed seriously. Technology is global. Attractive projects for the developing world will also drive applications in the developed countries. Jointly developed technologies will be marketed by private sector companies in the developed world. Royalties flowing back to public sector with successful product development can help to finance further research. Public sector has to maintain its task to launch innovation to the slow developing countries.