High-yielding variety (HYV)

High-yielding varieties (HYVs) are specially bred types of crops, like rice or wheat, designed to produce larger harvests than traditional varieties. They are developed through selective breeding and modern agricultural techniques to improve traits such as disease resistance, plant height, and nutrient uptake. HYVs typically require better inputs like fertilizers, water, and pest control to achieve their full potential. Their introduction has significantly increased food production and helped address food shortages in many parts of the world by maximizing yield per acre.