A Systematic Review of Cross-Country Data Initiatives on Agricultural Public Expenditures in Developing Countries

A number of data initiatives exist that assemble and make available public expenditure data on agriculture, in addition to other variables. Several of these data initiatives overlap in terms of which types of agricultural public expenditure they capture, for which years, and in which countries. Using these different datasets to conduct descriptive or more technical analyses could produce differing results, and thus could possibly lead to different conclusions for public policy and public investment. It is therefore important to be aware of what these data initiatives are and where they relate to one another and where they differ, and to reflect on how analysts and policy makers can make informed judgments based on the different databases. This study reviews all of the relevant data and analytical initiatives or activities that focus on or include agricultural public expenditure (AgPE) in developing and transitioning countries. In addition to taking stock of such initiatives, a comparison of relevant features is carried out, which describes the differences and similarities, and identifies possible avenues for greater collaboration and complementarity, including the use of selected empirical examples arising from the comparative review. [IFPRI Discussion Paper 01541]