Modern varieties ? Their real contribution to food supply and equity

Abstract

Green revolution technology, centered on high-yielding varieties, has revolutionized rice production since the late 1960's. These varieties are characterized by higher yield potential, better grain quality, shorter growth duration, multiple resistance to diseases and insects and tolerance to problem soils. High yielding varieties are now planted to 70% of the world's rice lands. Most countries in the Asian rice belt have become self sufficient in rice and some have exportable surpluses. The real prices of rice have declined in most countries. This price decline has benefitted the urban poor and rural landless. Labor requirement has also increased from higher intensity of cropping and resulted in growth of income of the rural landless workers. Availability of rice varieties with multiple resistance reduced the need for application of agrochemicals and facilitated the adoption of integrated pest management practices. The population of rice consumers is increasing at the rate of 2% annually. However the rate of growth of rice production has slowed to 1.2%. To reverse this trend, rice plant types with higher yield potential are being developed.