More than 30 years after the green revolution brought new, high yielding cultivars to farmers in developing countries, rural poverty and low food intake still plague many countries throughout the world. Many people question the role of agricultural research in alleviating poverty, arguing that it favors wealthy farmers over poorer farmers and laborers. This paper reviews the literature on the subject of the role of improved agricultural technology in alleviating poverty in developing countries. Focusing primarily on improved cultivars produced by the international agricultural research system, it shows how new technology combines with other socioeconomic and institutional factors to determine poverty alleviation outcomes. Download full-text discussion paper .
Proper citation is required.