| Abstract: | This paper uses farm-level data collected from a sample of 500 households in Hunan province, China, to analyze the impact of hybrid rice on input demand and productivity. Based on regression analyses, it is found that, compared with conventional modern varieties, hybrid rice uses about 4% less labor inputs, 2% less draft animal services, and 6% more chemical fertilizers. The lesser requirements for labor and draft animal services probably arise from hybrid rice's lower seeding rate. Due to heterosis and high seed costs, the use of F1 seed is economized to about one-third to one-fourth that of conventional varieties. Therefore, less labor and animal power is needed for seed-bed preparation and transplanting. It is also found that, given the same level of inputs, the yield advantage of hybrid rice over the conventional modern varieties is about 19%. Because of the productivity potential, hybrid rice is a candidate for the second-generation “Green Revolution” in other parts of Asia. |
