Public research in agricultural economics: organisation models, objects of investigation and targets

Abstract

Many changes affected rural society and economy in the last decades, requiring a rethinking of the whole system of public research in support of the policy making in agriculture and rural areas. In this context, INEA promoted a workshop with other research Institutes in order to discuss about the evolution, changes and perspectives in the public research for agriculture, the targets of the research activities and the new challenges for public research institutes in the economic, social and environmental analysis of agriculture. This paper summarizes the main results of the INEA’s event that was a unique occasion to present and discuss the rationale of a public research system and its long-term perspectives and to create conditions for useful network for European research projects, allowing to develop and enhance the circulation of ideas and researchers.