Agricultural research concerns the application of the principles of the basic sciences to the solution of problems of immediate or potential usefulness in agricultural production. To do this it draws on a wide range of scientific disciplines in the biological, physical and social sciences. It therefore involves people (executors and beneficiaries), finance (budget, allocation and control), physical infrastructure (buildings, laboratory and field equimpment, field facilities) and materials of various kinds (fertlizers, chemicals, pesticides). The document includes sections on he technology development process; the choice and statement of a research problem; some characteristics of agricultural research; organizational structure; organizational factors; research institutions and the dissemination of technology; factors affecting dissemination of new technology; and final observations. (MIBA)