The contents of this proceedings are as follows: the policy significance of new patterns of interaction in agricultural researach: an introduction (Hall, A.J.; Sulaiman, V.R.; Clark, N.G.; Yoganand, B.); chairman's opening remarks (Mruthyunjaya.); perspectives on public-private sector interaction: the way for the future (Dar, W.D.); public-private sector interaction: a framework for discussion (Hall, A.J.); public and private sectors: the seed links (Harinarayana, G.); fostering partnership in R&D - a case from the indian sugar industry (Gopinathan, M.C.); public-private partnership-reflections from the biomedical industry (Ella, K.M.); the long road to partnership: private support of public research on sorghum and pearl millet (Reddy, B.V.S.; Hall, A.J.; Rai, K.N.); shared perspectives: a synthesis of obstacles and opportunities (Hall, A.J.; Sulaiman, V.R.; Clark, N.G.; Yoganand, B.)