The Impact of Technical Change on Income Distribution: The Case of Rice in Colombia

A national rice research program adapted and developed modern rice varieties for irrigated culture. Their rapid and widespread adoption led to substantial increases in production, and a concomitant fall in the price of rice. This paper examines the incidence of both the gross benefits and the costs of the research program, by income level. As rice is a principal foodstuff, the net benefits, both absolute and relative, accrued disproportionately to the poorest households.