Undisputed success of past agriculture productivity and food security achievements

Food security and poverty reduction goals have largely driven the investments in agricultural innovation over the past four decades. In the 1960s, the world’s population was soaring, extreme poverty was widespread, agricultural productivity (particularly in food crops) was very low, and land for agriculture was limited in many areas (Fuglie et al. 2020; Gollin 2010; Timmer 2002).

The Green Revolution of the 1960s and 1970s saw the spread of new modern varieties (MVs), fertilizers, and other agricultural technologies (pesticides, machinery) to smallholder farmers. Adoption was enabled by extension services and wider economic reforms (Hazell 2009) (table D.1 in appendix D). The MVs were by far the most significant innovations, developed initially by international agricultural research centers in partnership with national agricultural research systems, drawing on existing germplasm in the Asia region. The Green Revolution was a continuing process of change rather than a single event (Evenson and Gollin 2003; Hazell 2009). Appendix D discusses the shifting priorities: the first-generation MVs in the 1960s (irrigated areas, rice and maize), the MVs in the 1970s (rainfed areas, other crops), and MVs from 1981 to 2000 (pest resistance, productivity).

The response of producers and the agriculture sector to Green Revolution innovations has been impressive—crop yields have increased nearly sixfold.1 By 2000, MVs of rice, maize, and wheat had been adopted on more than 80 percent of the crop area in East Asia (table 4.1). Irrigation, fertilizer, and pesticide use have also increased significantly over the years. Pesticide use has since plateaued at 2010 levels, including in China, Malaysia, and Vietnam, which largely drove pesticide use (box D.2 in appendix D). Table 4.2 presents past and current rice and maize yields and overall use of inputs (excluding MVs, labor, and machinery)2 in each country. Overall, yields tend to be higher in countries with greater input use and availability of irrigation.