A strong system of extension services began to emerge with the adoption of the Community Development Program in the 1950s and has continued. In 1977, India, with the help of the World Bank, adopted the training and visitation model of extension. In 1997, more than 95,000 village extension workers took part in this effort. Because this extension system was in place, Indian farmers readily adopted the new varieties of the Green Revolution, which were initially brought to India by the international agricultural research centers. Indian public-sector research and extension then took over the job of developing improved domestic varieties, which continue to deliver high returns to investment.
Infrastructure is another important element in productivity growth.
Without infrastructure, farmers in remote locations may be cut off from inputs such as fertilizer, water, and electricity. Infrastructure includes government irrigation systems, rural electrification, roads and railroads, and regulated markets. Productivity gains from improved rice continue to rise, but wheat gains have slowed. Indian researchers tested them to see if they were suitable for Indian growing conditions and tastes. Most hybrids were developed from crosses of indigenous and foreign stock.