Evolution of research strategies of rice at INIA - Portugal

Abstract

One of the main challenges to agro research organizations is the need to incorporate innovative strategies considering sustainability. On Portuguese rice chain it is noticeable economic changes associated with social and environmental concerns. This study aims to describe the dynamic of the changes at the National Institute of Agro Research (INIA)– Portugal, one of the most important organizations in this area. The results indicate the presence of three main stages on the development of the research at INIA, namely "INIA leader of the applied research of agro production of rice", "INIA reduced role on applied research of agro production of rice", "INIA promoter of chain organization and addition of value to rice". It was possible to identify disturbances, generic rules leading to research, research strategies and external factors in each one of the three phases.