Abstract: By analyzing the operational mechanisms of organizational management system, policy system and investment system, this paper explored the main reasons for the high level of agricultural technology innovation in the United States. The results indicated that in terms of organizational management system, the responsibilities of federal agencies of the United States Department of Agriculture were clearly divided, and the Department of Agricultural Research Services divided research content by region;the land grant universities and agricultural experimental stations established by each state bore dual responsibilities for teaching and research;private research institutions such as enterprises focused on the research and development of industrial projects.In terms of policy system, agricultural technology research and development in the United States was aimed and guided by national interests. The formulation of agricultural technology policies was in line with the actual needs of social development, with comprehensive content and complete system.In terms of investment system, the intensity of agricultural technology innovation investment was high, and the emphasis on basic research and applied basic research investment had promoted the improvement of agricultural technology innovation capabilities in the United States. Finally, based on the practical experience of agricultural technology innovation activities in the United States, the path to enhance China’s agricultural technology innovation capability was proposed.

Key words: United States, China, agricultural technology innovation, enlightenment