Maria Marchione Ben Stilin Hong Chau Green Revolution Maria Marchione Ben Stilin Hong Chau

Norman Borlaug Father of the Green Revolution Started the Cooperative Wheat Research and Production Program in Mexico in 1944 Expanded program to other countries through the help of Rockefeller and Ford foundations Helped established the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) Won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970s

1960s Why now? Developing countries gain independence No food supply Lack technology that developed countries have Rapidly expanding population Leads to widespread malnutrition and starvation

Who cares? Rockefeller and Ford foundations Leading development in agricultural technologies Invested in staple grain

Development of inorganic fertilizers Major Changes Modern Plant Breeding Improved agronomy Development of inorganic fertilizers Modern pesticides

What does this really mean? Wheat and rice Cross breeding High-yielding varieties- HYVs Shorter, stiffer, stocks to support more grain More responsive to plant nutrients Grow at any time of the year Expanded chemical and fertilizer use Irrigation techniques Doubled production of grains

Originated and expanded from Mexico Examples Originated and expanded from Mexico produced 4.6 million tons of wheat in 1965 Produced 8.4 million tons of wheat in 1970 Pakistan 12.3 million tons of wheat 1965 20 million tons of wheat in 1970 India

Pros Increases food production General rural economic stimulus Between 1970 and 1990 rice and wheat yields doubled No longer a threat of famine General rural economic stimulus Increase in worker productivity resulted in more demand for goods and services and thus economic growth Asia 1970-1995 average incomes doubled Asian and Indian poverty rates declined from about 60% to less than 33% Total world poor population declined from 1.15 billion to 825 million

Pros Better Nutrition Lower food prices and higher income resulted in higher real income thus increasing the ability to buy more and more varied food In Asia 1970-1995 population increased by 60% and calorie/person by 30% Examples include higher consumption of oils, fruits, vegetables, and meats

Cons Increased world population Population level now largely supported by unsustainable farming practices Creates economic inequality in some cases Large farms better able to implement new technology Small farmers subjected to lower prices without techniques to raise production Stimulates regional inequality due to requiring large amounts of water Promotes monoculture reduced biodiversity food supply susceptible to a single disease etc.

Cons Pesticides Kill helpful insects and other animals Long term impact on entire ecosystem, water pollution, soil pollution etc. High usage due to lack of education has resulted in pest developing resistance Negative health effects for humans unnecessary DDT is an example Excessive Irrigation Salt intrusion Lowering ground water levels Examples- Salinas Valley and Western Australia

Video Clips Current Event Is India in Need of a New Green Revolution? http://youtu.be/iWhaW6TnsLA

William Gaud, UDSA Director 1968 "These and other developments in the field of agriculture contain the makings of a new revolution. It is not a violent Red Revolution like that of the Soviets, nor is it a White Revolution like that of the Shah of Iran. I call it the Green Revolution.” William Gaud, UDSA Director 1968

Sources “Green Revolution- Curse or Blessing?” International Food Policy Research Institute http://actionbioscience.org/biotech/borlaug.htm l http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Revolution