International public goods through integrated natural resources management research

This analysis focuses on the generation of international public goods (IPG) through agricultural research in the International Centers of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and in their partnerships. It focuses on the international nature and applicability of research toward effective management of agricultural systems and of the natural, economic and human capital bases upon which they depend and influence. It has long been shown that much natural resources management research, as well as that on agricultural systems that have high interaction with local environments, is often very location-specific. This, if true, runs counter to the need for CGIAR research to have international applicability to achieve cost-effectiveness and broad impact. This analysis looks at ways that modern approaches to integrated natural resources management research (INRM) can have broad international applicability and serve as a highly useful foundation for development of locally-adapted technologies.