Breeding for productivity and quality: Evidence from Argentina’s INTA rice program

Abstract

Sustained investment in agricultural research and development (R&D) is critical for productivity growth, food security, and competitiveness; yet, globally, public investment has stagnated relative to the size of the agricultural sector. This study evaluates the production, economic, and market impacts of Argentina’s INTA rice breeding program using variety trial data from 1991 to 2022, and production data from 2006 until 2023. We employ a multi-method approach combining econometric estimation of genetic gains, an economic surplus framework to quantify production benefits, and a spatial partial equilibrium model to assess market impacts. Using 446 observations from rice variety trials, we estimate annual yield gains of 0.775 %, equivalent to a cumulative increase of 29.45 % over the study period. Improvements in milling quality were significant but modest, while there were no significant changes in chalky rice, which indicates that yield gains were achieved without compromising grain quality. Adoption of INTA varieties expanded significantly across Argentina and neighboring countries, particularly Brazil, reflecting improved competitiveness relative to alternative varieties. The resulting production gains from adoption averaged 330 thousand metric tons annually, generating approximately US$115 million in added value per year and exceeding US$2 billion cumulatively. Market simulations indicate that, in the absence of these gains, rice production in Argentina and Brazil would be lower, prices higher, and export competitiveness reduced. Overall, the findings demonstrate that public rice breeding has delivered substantial and measurable benefits, reinforcing the importance of sustained investment in agricultural R&D to support productivity growth and market performance. Background Increasing rice productivity without compromising grain quality remains a significant challenge. Quality traits such as milled rice yield, head rice yield, and chalkiness are influenced by complex genetic and environmental factors, making simultaneous improvement difficult. As consumer demand for higher-quality rice grows, breeding programs must increasingly balance productivity gains with the maintenance of desirable grain characteristics. Objectives The objective of this study is to evaluate the genetic, production, economic, and market impacts of Argentina’s INTA rice breeding program, with particular emphasis on its ability to achieve sustained yield gains while maintaining grain quality. Methodology We used a multi-method approach to evaluate the impacts of the INTA rice breeding program. First, econometric models were applied to variety trial data from 1991 to 2022 to estimate genetic gains in yield and grain quality traits. Second, these estimated gains were combined with adoption data from 2006 to 2021 to quantify the additional rice production and economic benefits generated by INTA varieties. Finally, a spatial partial equilibrium model of the global rice market was used to assess the broader market effects of the productivity gains associated with the program. Results The INTA rice breeding program generated significant genetic gains in yield, averaging 0.775% per year and resulting in a cumulative increase of 29.45% between 1984 (the released year of the first variety) and 2022 (the released year of the last variety). Improvements in milling quality were positive but modest, while chalkiness remained unchanged, which indicates that yield gains were achieved without compromising grain quality. The widespread adoption of INTA varieties in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay generated an average of 330,000 additional metric tons of rice annually, valued at approximately US$115 million per year. Market simulations further showed that these productivity gains increased production, lowered prices, and strengthened export competitiveness in the region. Conclusion Overall, the INTA rice breeding program has generated significant productivity gains while maintaining grain quality, resulting in widespread adoption, higher rice production, and substantial economic benefits. The findings underscore the value of sustained public investment in plant breeding as a driver of agricultural competitiveness and productivity growth. Implications Breeding for higher yields and improved grain quality need not involve a tradeoff. The experience of the INTA rice breeding program shows that sustained gains in productivity can be achieved while maintaining key quality attributes valued by processors and consumers. One way to accomplish this is by explicitly incorporating both producer and consumer preferences into varietal development, ensuring that new rice varieties meet agronomic performance goals while satisfying market demand. Such an approach can strengthen adoption, profitability, and competitiveness across the rice value chain.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Field Crops Research, 2026 · DOI ↗