Impacts of International Wheat Breeding Research
in Developing Countries, 1966-97

In PDF format. PDF files require Acrobat Reader software

Download whole document (1,108KB)

 

Abstract: This report, which updates and extends the findings of an earlier CIMMYT study published in 1993, examines the impacts of international wheat breeding research in the developing world. Covering the period 1966-97, the report reviews investments in wheat breeding research made by national and international organizations and documents the use of improved germplasm. Within the international wheat breeding system, CIMMYT remains the dominant partner. During the late 1990s, nearly two-thirds of the area planted to wheat in the developing countries was planted to CIMMYT-related varieties, and about one-fifth was planted to varieties developed from crosses made by CIMMYT breeders. The report estimates farm-level adoption of modern varieties (MVs) in major wheat production environments, discusses the benefits associated with adoption of MVs, and estimates the gross value of additional grain production attributable to international wheat breeding efforts. 

Contents

Tables   (306KB)
Figures
Acknowledgments

Chapter 1: Introduction (28KB)

Chapter 2: The International Wheat Improvement System and Wheat Breeding Research Investments (84.9KB)

  • Evolution of the International Wheat Breeding System

  • IARC and NARS Investments in Wheat Genetic Improvement
  • Wheat Improvement Investment in CIMMYT
  • Wheat Improvement Investment in NARSs

Chapter 3: Trends in Wheat Varietal Releases in Developing Countries,1996-97 (197KB)

  • Rates of Varietal Release

  • Wheat Growth Habit, Production Environments, and Varietal Releases

  • Origins of Varieties Released in Developing Countries

  • Private-Sector Wheat Releases and Wheat Varietal Protection in Developing Countries

Chapter 4: Adoption of Improved Wheat Varieties in Developing Countries (249KB)

  • Spread of Semidwarf Varieties
  • Area Planted to CIMMYT-Related Germplasm
  • Alternative Measures of CIMMYT Contribution to Wheat Varieties Planted in the Developing World
  • Lags in Adoption of MVs

Chapter 5: Measuring Costs, Benefits, and Economic Impacts of Wheat Breeding Research (90KB)

  • Gains in Yield and Other Characteristics
  • Translating Yield Gains Into Economic Benefits
  • Distributional Issues in Measuring Agricultural Research Benefits
  • Putting Costs and Benefits Together
  • Special Issues in Measuring the Economic Impacts of Wheat Breeding Programs

Chapter 6: Empirical Evidence of Gains in Yields and Other Characteristics (77KB)

  • Experimental Gains in Wheat Yields
  • Scientific Reviews of Gains in Wheat Yield Potential and Wheat Yield
  • Genetic Gains in Yield from Successive Release of New Wheat Varieties
  • Results from International Yield Trials
  • Components of Wheat Yield Gains
  • Wheat Yields in Farmers’ Fields by Environment in Developing Countries
  • Summary

Chapter 7: Economic Benefits of Wheat Improvement Research (37KB)

  • Gross Annual Research Benefits from CIMMYT/NARS Wheat Improvement Research
  • Economic Surplus Studies of Economic Benefits from Wheat MVs
  • Economic Benefits of Crop Genetic Improvement Research —Further Considerations

Chapter 8: Conclusion (34KB)

Appendix A: CIMMYT Content in Released Wheat Varieties by Wheat Type, Region, and Period  (16KB)

Appendix B: Adoption of MV Wheat by Mega-Environment (31.8KB)

References (249KB)



Published on 2002

August, 2004