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State-Directed Diffusion Of Technology: The Mechanization Of Cotton Harvesting In Soviet Central Asia

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  • Pomfret, Richard

Abstract

When Soviet central planners began to mechanize the cotton harvest in earnest in 1958, they expected more rapid diffusion than the market-driven process that had begun in the United States a decade earlier. But despite high output of cotton-picking machines, the share of the crop harvested mechanically grew more slowly than in the United States. The factor proportions in Central Asia did not justify mechanization: although planners could enforce introduction of the new technology, investment in cotton-harvesting machines was largely a waste of resources. The costs of premature introduction are estimated at over $1 billion in 1960s prices.

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  • Pomfret, Richard, 2002. "State-Directed Diffusion Of Technology: The Mechanization Of Cotton Harvesting In Soviet Central Asia," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 62(1), pages 170-188, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jechis:v:62:y:2002:i:01:p:170-188_04
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    1. White Kristopher D., 2013. "A geographical perspective on the Aral Sea crisis: three interpretations of an image," Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series, Sciendo, vol. 21(21), pages 125-132, September.
    2. Pomfret, Richard, 2007. "Distortions to Agricultural Incentives in Kazakhstan," Agricultural Distortions Working Paper Series 48360, World Bank.
    3. James Fenske, 2014. "The battle for rubber in Benin," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 67(4), pages 1012-1034, November.
    4. Chatalova, Lioudmila & Djanibekov, Nodir & Gagalyuk, Taras & Valentinov, Vladislav, 2017. "The paradox of water management projects in Central Asia: An institutionalist perspective," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 9(4), pages 1-14.
    5. Cernat, Lucian & Onguglo, Bonapas, 2008. "RTAs and WTO Compatibility: Catch Me If You Can? The Case of EPA Negotiations," Journal of Economic Integration, Center for Economic Integration, Sejong University, vol. 23, pages 489-517.
    6. Evans, David & Gasiorek, Michael & Robinson, Sherman, 2007. "A Comparative Analysis of Shallow and Deep Integration of China and India into the Global Economy: A Research Agenda and First Application of the Disaggregated "Tapes" Partial Equilibrium Mo," Conference papers 331639, Purdue University, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Global Trade Analysis Project.
    7. Rajag M. Nag & Johannes F. Linn & Harinder S. Kohli (ed.), 2016. "Central Asia 2050: Unleashing the Region's Potential," Books, Emerging Markets Forum, edition 1, number centasia2050, Summer.
    8. James Fenske, 2014. "The battle for rubber in Benin," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 67(4), pages 1012-1034, November.
    9. Richard Pomfret, 2016. "Modernizing Agriculture in Central Asia," Global Journal of Emerging Market Economies, Emerging Markets Forum, vol. 8(2), pages 104-125, May.
    10. Muller, Malte & Rommel, Jens, 2018. "Should I Stay or Should I Go? A Behavioral Approach to Organizational Choice in Tajikistan’s Agriculture," Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Western Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 43(3), September.
    11. Zsuzsa Ludvig (ed.), 2013. "EAST EUROPEAN STUDIES NO. 4 - Eurasian challenges - Partnerships with Russia and other issues of the Post-Soviet era," East European Studies, Institute for World Economics - Centre for Economic and Regional Studies, number 2013.

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