The Green Revolution - Changing the Way We Eat What do you think?

The Green Revolution Began in 1943 - The Mexican government requested the Rockerfeller Foundation to establish an agriculture research station in Mexico The purpose was to develop more productive varieties of wheat that could be used to feed the rapidly growing population (3% growth rate - doubling time of 23 years) Dr. Norman Borlaug headed the research station

The Green Revolution Selective breeding methods had been created that greatly improved agricultural productivity in the developed world. The question was whether it could work in developing countries. Borlaug and his colleagues wanted to produce high-yield varieties (HYV) of wheat that could be used to increase food production in Mexico and then the rest of the developing world. Borlaug won the Nobel Peace prize in 1970 for his efforts. The success of this project encouraged other researchers to develop HYVs (i.e.rice). 15 research institutes were set up to specializing in different crops.

The Green Revolution Borlaug felt the Green Revolution was only a “temporary success” as boosting yields on existing cropland is only part of the solution to world hunger (slowing population growth is the other) GR would provide the world with “Breathing Space” until population growth is under control Recent statistics show that the World population has increased by 2.2% & global food produced has increased by 1.3% 2006 director of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) called for a second green revolution to deal with world hunger By 2050, 1 billion tonnes of cereals would have to be produced to deal with world hunger

The Green Revolution High Yield Varieties are crops specifically bred to: Increased growth rate; Increased the % of usable plant parts; Increased resistance to crop disease

The Green Revolution High Yield Variety crops have the following in common Smaller Plants (dwarf plants): The plant puts more energy into growing seeds (what we eat) & less on growing stems (not used for food) Plants respond better to fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides & irrigation Plants grow faster which allows the land to be used to grow more than one crop per season

Successes of Green Revolution Helped prevent massive famines after WWII Helped reduce food-supply issue in developing world Developing world spent less on food issues and more on social/economic programs (family planning education, health care) Between 1950-1999, global grain production increased by 170% on same amount of land. If same increase with conventional farming techniques, millions of hectares of forest and natural grassland would be used

Successes of Green Revolution Worldwide food production increased by 20% more quickly than the population Price for wheat and rice declined 70% --> better diets for many This is an answer for the growing population and the declining arable land. Has helped curb the malnutrition and starvation cases (estimated 36 million die each year from starvation) Nutritionally enhance food? Drought, pest, and weed resistant Crops can grow in areas that at one time was not possible

Concerns About Green Revolution Approach uses western model of agriculture. This includes expensive use of fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation. (Green Reveolution - benefitted rich farmers) Loss of genetic diversity which threatens global food supply (some varieties of the same crop are more susceptible to weed and insect damage). The GR promoted only a few highly developed varieties of wheat, rice and corn which replaced hundreds of native varieties previously grown in developing countries. Not as environmentally sustainable as traditional farming (mixed cropping higher yields) - decline of soil quality Huge market for makers of fertilizers, persticides, farm equipment (most in developed world $$$)

Concerns About Green Revolution Research focused on areas with fertile soil and reliable rainfall (little help for arid & semi-arid areas) Focused on developing varieties of wheat, rice and corn (didn’t benefit countries whose staples were millet, sorghum, cassava and yams) Reduced the # of jobs in the developing world Women who grow most food in developing world didn’t have $$$ to purchase equipment and seeds for new varieties. Allergens could be added unknowingly, nutritional value could change, eco impact unknown, pests and viruses build up resistance

GMO’s In Action