Agricultural Productivity Growth in Pakistan and India: A Comparative Analysis (Distinguishedl Lecture)

Estimates of partial factor productivity growth for rice and wheat in India and Pakistan have shown relatively rapid growth in yields per hectare since adoption of modem rice and wheat varieties began in the mid-to-Iate 1960s [Byerlee (1990); Rosegrant (1991)]. Yields per hectare for rice and wheat grew slowly prior to the green revolution, then increased dramatically (Table 1). In Pakistan, yield growth from 1965 to 1975 was particularly rapid, but declined sharply after that. Indian yields grew more slowly than in Pakistan in the early green revolution period, but higher yield growth was sustained in India after 1975.