Structural Change and Innovation in the Global Agricultural Input Sector

Abstract

Recent proposed mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in the agricultural input industry, especially among developers of crop protection products, seeds, and biotechnology, have attracted much attention. Vertical and horizontal consolidation in this sector has been ongoing, however, and such restructuring both makes possible and is driven by technical innovation. In this chapter, we review the emerging innovation and business model in the agricultural input sector and discuss the factors that have enabled it.