Green Revolution – Update (March, 2023)

The Green Revolution is a term used to describe the significant increase in agricultural productivity that occurred in many developing countries during the 1960s and 1970s. This increase in productivity was achieved through the introduction of high-yielding varieties of crops, the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and the expansion of irrigation systems. While the Green Revolution was successful in increasing food production and reducing hunger in many parts of the world, it also had significant socio-economic and ecological implications.

History of the Green Revolution

The Green Revolution began in the 1940s, with the development of high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice by Norman Borlaug and his colleagues. These varieties, which were resistant to diseases and pests and produced high yields, were introduced in Mexico, India, and other developing countries in the 1960s and 1970s. The Green Revolution was supported by international organizations such as the World Bank and the Ford Foundation, as well as national governments in developing countries.

Types of Green Revolution Technologies

The Green Revolution involved the introduction of several new technologies, including:

• High-yielding varieties of crops: High-yielding varieties of crops were developed through the use of selective breeding and genetic engineering. These varieties produced higher yields and were resistant to diseases and pests.
• Chemical fertilizers: Chemical fertilizers were used to provide crops with the necessary nutrients for growth. These fertilizers increased crop yields but also contributed to environmental pollution.
• Pesticides: Pesticides were used to control pests and diseases that could reduce crop yields. While effective in reducing pest damage, pesticides also had negative environmental and health impacts.
• Irrigation: Irrigation systems were expanded to provide crops with water in areas where rainfall was insufficient. The expansion of irrigation systems led to the depletion of water resources and the displacement of local communities.

Examples of Green Revolution Success and Challenges

• Success: The Green Revolution was successful in increasing food production and reducing hunger in many developing countries. In India, for example, the introduction of high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice led to a significant increase in food production, reducing the country’s dependence on food imports.
• Challenges: The Green Revolution also had significant socio-economic and ecological implications. The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides contributed to environmental pollution, and the expansion of irrigation systems led to the depletion of water resources. The high-yielding varieties of crops were also dependent on chemical inputs, leading to increased costs for farmers and a shift towards monoculture, which reduced biodiversity and increased the risk of crop failure.

Issues Surrounding the Green Revolution

• Environmental degradation: The Green Revolution contributed to environmental degradation through the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which polluted soil and water resources. The expansion of irrigation systems also led to the depletion of water resources and the displacement of local communities.
• Dependency on external inputs: The high-yielding varieties of crops introduced during the Green Revolution were dependent on chemical inputs, such as fertilizers and pesticides. This led to increased costs for farmers and a shift towards monoculture, reducing biodiversity and increasing the risk of crop failure.
• Social inequality: The Green Revolution benefited large landowners and agribusinesses, leading to increased social inequality. Small farmers, who lacked access to credit and inputs, were often left behind.
• Health impacts: The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides had negative health impacts on farmers and farm workers, who were exposed to these chemicals on a regular basis.