Influence of spillovers to Australia on impacts of the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas

Abstract

There is growing evidence of spillover effects to developed countries from the plant genetic improvement work of international agricultural research centers (IARCs) that nevertheless benefit the targeted developing countries. This paper examines the modes in which such spillover effects from IARCs to developed countries have an impact on the overall benefits from the IARC system. A case study of production spillovers in Australia from ICARDA’s work indicates a shift of benefits for the rest of the world from producers to consumers, with overall benefits to the rest of the world marginally higher in the presence of spillovers. These findings suggest spillovers to developed countries can enhance the impacts of the IARCs on developing countries though they can affect the distribution of benefits received.