AND TECHNOLOGY INDICATORS

makes available data on institutional developments and investments in agricultural R&D worldwide, and analyzes and reports on these trends. Tracking these developments in ways that make for meaningful comparisons among different countries, types of agencies, and points in time is critical for keeping policymakers abreast of science policy issues pertaining to agriculture. The main objective of the ASTI initiative is to assist policymakers and donors in making better-informed decisions about the funding and operation of public and private agricultural science and technology agencies by making available internationally comparable information on agricultural research investments and institutional changes. Better-informed decisions will improve the efficiency and impact of agricultural R&D systems and ultimately enhance productivity growth of the agriculture sector. The ASTI initiative is managed by the ISNAR division of the International Food Policy Research Institute (www.ifpri.org) and comprises a network of national, regional, and international agricultural R&D agencies. Primary funding for the ASTI initiative’s survey round in Asia was provided by the World Bank and IFPRI core funding. The ASTI data and associated reports are made freely available for research policy formulatio