Economic Impact of Scientific Knowledge: The Case of Plant Genetics

Scientific innovation constitutes an important factor of economic growth. This paper estimates the economic impact of one scientific type of innovation: genetics applied to seed production. In Argentina, previous research on this topic has been focalized on the impact of genetic innovation on partial productivity measures - in particular land productivity. In contrast, this paper utilizes a production function framework to estimate the impact of genetic improvement, controlling for the use of other inputs. Two data bases with a panel structure are used: one integrated by a cross-section of countries (including Argentina), the other includes only data for Argentina for different kid of crops. Results show there is important economic returns associated with innovation in crop genetics.

• Main Authors: Arizu, Alberto, Castro, Victor, Gallacher, Marcos
• Format: Online
• Language: spa
• Published: Instituto de Economía y Finanzas. Facultad de Ciencias Económicas. Universidada Nacional de Córdoba. 2008
• Subjects: producción agrícola; productividad; biotecnología vegetal; investigación y desarrollo; impacto económico; 031; Q16; agricultural production; productivity; plant biotechnology; research and development; economic impact; O31
• Online Access: https://revistas.unc.edu.ar/index.php/REyE/article/view/3846