Inter-farm,inter-regional and farm-non-farm income distribution: The impact of the new cereal variaties

HYVs affect distinct aspects of income distribution. Among farmers, the technology on balance most readily benefits the small; but public policy - on prices, credit, irrigation, nutrients, mechanisation, crop-breeding - has skewed gains towards larger owners. Between landed and landless the latter gain, as HYVs — unless subverted by inappropriate mechanization — raise and smooth wages and employment. The evidence on rich and poor regions lightens the prevailing gloom; and agronomic features of newer HYVs fit them well for some long-neglected, ill-watered areas. As for city and country, urban price policies, etc., have diverted some gains from HYVs towards less-poor urban consumers (and their employers). However, natural scientists are sufficiently independent of policy-makers to produce — with proper socio-economic support - research that steers benefits from HYVs towards the natural gainers from more food, labour-intensively grown: the rural poor.