International Diffusion of Tedinolof^y: A Case Study ofSuf^arcane Varieties 45 



Mean yields and their coefficients of variation by the time 

 period are presented in table 3.5. They are calculated from the 

 country yield data in table 3.4. An increase in the coefficient of 

 variation of yields can serve as a measure of an increase in "tech- 

 nology gaps," and a decrease in variance as a measure of a closing 

 of the gaps; the yield data in table 3.4 are consistent with the 

 variety diffusion evidence. The increase in variation in the 

 1923-24 period is consistent with the widening technology gaps 

 originating from the early introduction of stage 2 varieties. The 

 decline in variance in 1928-32 is due to the widespread diffusion 

 of these varieties. Similarly, the increase in yield variability in the 

 1938-42 period and its decrease by 1948-52 are consistent with 

 the conclusion that stage 4 variety development technology has 

 not been widely diffused. 



The Role of the Experiment Station 

 IN Variety Development and Transmission 



The role of the sugarcane experiment station, as we have noted, 

 was not confined to the production of new varieties. It served in 

 an important way to facilitate the international transmission of 

 the stage 2 and 3 varieties. The stations also served to facilitate 

 variety transmission within countries by performing an "exten- 

 sion" role. 



In many countries sugarcane production was organized in 

 large-scale producing units and a high degree of international 

 mobility among growers and management personnel obtained. In 

 fact, few agricultural commodities were in a better position to 

 realize international transmission of technology through normal 

 producing and marketing activities than sugarcane producers. 

 The widespread diffusion of the stage 2 varieties in a short period 

 of time is unlikely to have occurred in foodgrain production, for 

 example. 



The initial establishment of experiment stations was quite 

 clearly based on the colonial interests of the British, Dutch, 

 French, and Portuguese. They understood quite well the principle 

 that the gains from improved technology tend to be passed on to 

 the consumers of the product. It was very much in their interests 



