Background
The Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators (ASTI) program has been a global benchmark in agricultural research data collection for more than two decades. It focused on institutional developments, investments, human resource capacity, and research outputs in low- and middle-income countries and has functioned through a vast network of national research agencies, regional coordinating bodies, and international organizations. ASTI data have been widely used to assess research performance and impact and to set policy and investment priorities to increase agricultural growth and productivity.
The program was formerly managed by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). In recent years, it had an intermittent frequency of data releases due to funding constraints and was discontinued. Recognizing the importance of agricultural research in accelerating agrifood system transformation and thanks to a three-year grant from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, FAO has decided to continue the main data series and will work to regularize, harmonize and enhance the quality, timeliness and completeness of the ASTI dataset by providing technical assistance to the countries in producing national-level estimates.
At the national level, we collaborate with National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARIs) to strengthen country capacity and institutionalize data production, aiming to enhance the policy uptake and country ownership of ASTI. In 2024, following a workshop in Rome, country pilots were conducted in nine countries to test the new data collection approaches. The diverse and rich lessons learned from these experiences have been shared with other countries through regional workshops.
At the regional level, we partner with regional associations of agricultural research institutes to organize regional workshops, raise awareness and promote ASTI data use. As of 2025, more than 100 focal points from 60 countries were trained on the new data collection approaches and ASTI methodology.
At the global level, we facilitate the development and validation of Guidelines for in-country data collection within the framework of UN Committee of Experts on Agricultural and Rural Statistics (UN-CEAG) under the umbrella of the UN Statistical Commission to harmonize the methodology on Agricultural R&D data production across the countries.