Technical Change and Wheat Productivity in Post-Green Revolution Punjab

in Post-Green Revolution Punjab D S Sidhu Derek Byerlee What have been the major sources of growth in wheat productivity in the post-green revolution period following the widespread adoption of HYVs? To what extent does the slower growth in productivity reflect changing input-output price ratios? How are increased yields and changing practices reflected in changes in costs of production and total factor productivity in wheat? This paper seeks to answer these questions based on an analysis of trends in micro-level data on the Punjab wheat economy PUNJAB is one of the most important wheat producing states in India. It covers 14 per cent of national wheat area, accounts for 25 per cent of national wheat production, and provides more than 50 per cent of the wheat procured by the government food distribution scheme. It also has the highest wheat yield in the country, averaging 3.6 t/ha in 1986-88 compared to 2 t/ha for India as a whole.