LESSONS FROM THREE DECADES OF GREEN REVOLUTION IN THE PHILIPPINES

The purpose of the current paper is to assess the changing contributions of successive generations of modern varieties of rice (MV) to yield increase and stability and the changes in total factor productivity (TFP) in irrigated, rainfed, and upland ecosystems in the Philippines. We found that the yield increase in irrigated ecosystem has been by far the highest, which can be attributed to the diffusion of pest‐ and disease‐resistant MV. The contribution of MV to yield increase in the rainfed ecosystem has been less significant, but much more compared with that of upland ecosystem. The rainfed and upland ecosystems have experienced an upward trend in yield, albeit slowly, because of the diffusion of improved traditional varieties and MV suitable to adverse production environments. The contribution of MV cum irrigation has accounted for approximately 50% of the growth of TFP in Central Luzon.     

FIRST RESULTS FROM THE 2000 POPULATION CENSUS

This note discusses the preliminary results of the 2000 Population Census, and their implications for population trends. It outlines problems encountered in collecting the census data, some of which arise from census policies and practices, and others from changed circumstances following the crisis and democratisation. It considers issues that will influence the calculation of the final estimates, highlights some surprising aspects of the results, and offers recommendations for future enumerations.     

世界各国的高铁“经”

中国的高铁技术在短时间内以神速驶入了世界先进高铁技术行列,举目全球,除中国这个高铁“新秀”,还有日本、法国、德国等已雄踞高铁技术前沿多年的国家,他们既是中国高铁驶向世界道路上遇到的劲旅,也是可以值得互相学习的“前辈”,在高铁技术不断发展的今天,各个国家都在念着自己的高铁“经”。