Yields Are Up, But Growth is Slowing

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Yield (metric tons/hectare)

Wheat Yield

Rice Yield

Maize Yield

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Global Changes in Cereal Yields and Yield Growth Rates, 1961-96

For wheat, yield growth rates slid from 2.92 percent per year for the period from 1961 to 1979 to 1.78 percent for the period from 1980 to 1997. For maize, the rates slipped from 2.88 percent to 1.29 percent duing the same period. For paddy rice, yield growth rates have remained stable at 1.95 percent. For more information see http://www.wri.org/trends/foodprod.html.

Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), FAOSTAT Statistical Database (FAO, Rome, 1997).

Note: Values are un-weighted 5-year moving averages.