For the first time in modern history governments of middle-income nations are investing more than those of high-income ones. The analysed data also suggest that, globally, private-sector spending on AgR&D is catching up with public-sector spending. Meanwhile, the gap between spending by high-income and low-income countries is widening.

Investments in R&D are inextricably intertwined with growth in agricultural productivity and food supplies. Today's R&D investment decisions will cast shadows forward to 2050 and beyond, making the reported trends especially significant for the future of food production.