The Green Revolution Began in the 1940 s

The Green Revolution • Began in the 1940 s, 1950 s – Was a phase of the 3 rd Revolution – Really implemented in 1970 s, 1980 s • New strains of hybrid seeds and fertilizers were invented and dramatically increased crop output – Began with agricultural experiments in the U. S. to find ways to improve Mexico’s wheat production capabilities • Scientists found new hybrid strains of wheat, maize, and rice that were higher-yielding, capable of producing more food at a faster pace • Scientists also developed new fertilizers and pesticides that supported the higher-yielding seeds • Required special fertilizers • Increased protection from diseases and pest infestations

The Green Revolution • Scientist Norman Borlaug won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for his work to increase world peace through spreading hunger-reducing technology to poorer regions of the world – “miracle wheat seed” • The “miracle” of the Green Revolution was in global diffusion of higheryielding crops • Globally grain production increased 45% between 19451990 • Food production outpaced population growth • Asia was able to increase its rice production by 66% by 1985 • India was able to supply its own wheat and rice by the 1980 s • Not able to completely eradicate hunger • Issue of transportation

Economic downside to GR • GR reduced the amount of human labor needed on the farm in some areas • Higher-yielding crop strains are more prone to viruses and pest infestations • Many of the higher-yielding crops are not farmable in the dryer regions of Africa • Some analysts argue that the GR has increased economic inequality in peripheral countries • Local farmers in peripheral countries often have a difficult time purchasing more expensive GR seeds and technologies • Example: Nitrogen fertilizer

Environmental Downsides to GR • GR pesticides have arguably cause pollution and soilcontamination problems • Workers who are frequently exposed to these chemicals have suffered health problems from poisoning • GR crop require more watering which has led to water resources being strained • Because GR seeds are being adopted so widely , the genetic diversity in seeds is rapidly reducing, and local strains are being phased out • GR farming often requires more mechanized farming techniques that need expensive fuels to power farm machines, which increase pollution and fossil fuel consumption

3 rd AG Rev = Green Rev – 1940 s-1960 s • MDCs transfer techn to LDCs • Main practices: – Artificial fertilizer – Irrigation – Insecticides and pesticides – Mechanical machinery – Crossbreeding/hybridization (naturally not in a lab) – …. all produce higher yields

3 rd Rev / Green Rev • Multinational Corp encourage LDCs to focus on specialty crops – monoculture for export instead of producing food for local consumption • Was successful in some LDCs but detrimental in others (new tech devastated land, bad for env, unsustainable farming, and changes in social and culture structures