Agricultural Innovation in Developing East Asia Productivity, Safety, and Sustainability

Agricultural innovation has played a critical role in the economic transformation of developing East Asian countries over the past half century. This transformation began with the diffusion and adoption of high-yielding seed varieties, modern fertilizers, and other agricultural technologies (for example, pesticides, machinery), commonly known as the Green Revolution. A strong focus on increased production and food security, and rapid adoption of modern rice and corn varieties, coupled with investments in irrigation, agricultural extension services, and broad economic reforms, resulted in dramatic increases in crop yields and agricultural productivity across the region (figure ES.1). This higher productivity, in turn, contributed to higher farm incomes and lower poverty in rural areas. Higher agricultural productivity freed rural labor to move into manufacturing and services, and it enabled significant expansion and intensification of export-oriented commodity production. In short, innovations in agriculture helped lay the foundation for the structural transformation that has fueled subsequent growth and development across the region.