TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER IN AGRICULTURE: THE MEXICAN EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Background: Mexican primary sector needs a repositioning to meet the challenges associated with society's demands in the new millennium. Understanding the past is paramount to learn from mistakes and adapting more swiftly to upcoming demands. Objective: This review aimed to describe a historical overview of economic developmental models and technology transfer strategies to modernize Mexico's primary sector. Additional information on economic development and technology transfer policies from other Latin American countries provides a contextual perspective. Results: Mexican economic models as early as the XIX century provide the importance of technology transfer to the primary sector. However, they did not support scientific research as a source of innovation. From the 1950s onward, the need for scientific research to generate innovation and adaptation of new foreign technologies becomes evident in technology transfer schemes. Similar scenarios are found in several other Latin American countries. Implications: as a reaction to this need for innovation, Institutes of scientific research and extension were created in a global economic scenario dictated by the neoliberal economic model. Despite such progress, research and extension institutions have met with continued pressure from economic and political sources. Therefore, Mexican research and extension institutions need more financial support and long-term goals for improved outcomes. Conclusions: technology transfer strategies in Mexico have historically adapted to shifts in economic developmental models. There is a need for investing in scientific innovation, enhancing such investments with focused long-term goals. All these might meet the rapidly changing demands posed by the new millennium.