Economic and Technological Impacts of UAS-Bengaluru Crop Varieties on Karnataka Agriculture, India

Abstract

The review article synthesizes evidence from multiple studies assessing the economic and technological impacts of improved crop varieties released by the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru (UAS-B), over the past few decades. UAS-B has played a pivotal role in enhancing agricultural productivity in Karnataka through sustained research and varietal development in crops such as finger millet, red gram, sugarcane, and sunflower. The review highlights significant yield improvements, increased net returns, and enhanced Total Factor Productivity (TFP) associated with varieties like GPU-28, KMR-204, BRG-2, and VCF-0517. Resource use efficiency analyses reveal underutilization of key inputs such as land and capital, indicating potential for further optimization. Additionally, economic surplus studies affirm the broader societal benefits of varietal adoption, with strong consumer and producer gains. Farmers' positive perceptions of these technologies suggest high relevance, cultural compatibility, and potential for wide-scale diffusion. The review underscores the critical importance of sustained public investment in agricultural research and the need for dynamic policy support to accelerate the development and dissemination of location-specific, climate-resilient technologies for sustainable agricultural growth.