AGRICULTURAL MODERNIZATION, AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF BENEFITS - SOME EVIDENCE FROM MALAYSIA

Using covariance analysis, this cross-sectional study of samples of farmers from a mature irrigation project in Malaysia showed that, even with favourable access to resources there were significant differences in production technologies between socio-economic groups within the irrigation project. The new rice technology was neither size group nor tenure neutral. The effective use of the technology improved up to a medium size group of three to five acres but weakened thereafter. Also, use of the technology by tenants was superior to that of owner operators. In contrast, covariance tests for similar socio-economic groups outside the project using traditional rice technology showed no significant difference in performance suggesting a general conformity amongst farmers using a traditional technology over time.