5.6 The Green Revolution

What was the Green Revolution?

The Green Revolution (mid-1900s onward) was the spread of technology and agricultural innovations from more developed countries (MDCs) to less developed countries (LDCs). It included high-yield seeds (HYVs), synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, mechanization, and irrigation. Norman Borlaug's high-yield wheat and rice varieties are famous examples, dramatically boosting food production in places like India and Mexico.

Benefits

The Green Revolution increased crop yields per hectare, helping avert famine and feed rapidly growing populations, especially in Asia and Latin America. It reduced the amount of land needed for farming, allowing some land to be preserved. Countries like India shifted from food-deficit to food-surplus status, and rural incomes rose in areas that adopted the technology successfully.

Costs and criticisms

Downsides included dependence on expensive fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation, which favored wealthier farmers and increased inequality. Overuse of chemicals caused environmental damage: soil degradation, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity from monocropping. Groundwater depletion and reliance on fossil-fuel-based inputs raised sustainability concerns, and many small farmers went into debt trying to keep up.

Key terms

Green Revolution

The diffusion of agricultural technology (HYV seeds, fertilizers, irrigation, mechanization) from MDCs to LDCs starting mid-1900s to boost food production.

High-yield variety (HYV) seeds

Specially bred seeds that produce much larger crop yields than traditional varieties.

Norman Borlaug

Scientist known as the 'Father of the Green Revolution' for developing high-yield, disease-resistant wheat varieties.

Environmental costs of the Green Revolution

Soil degradation, water pollution, groundwater depletion, and loss of biodiversity from monocropping and heavy chemical use.

Social inequality from the Green Revolution

Wealthier farmers who could afford inputs (fertilizer, irrigation, machinery) benefited more, widening the gap with poorer farmers.

Try an AP-style question

The Green Revolution introduced…

1. shifting cultivation in tropical forests
2. high-yield seeds, fertilizer, and irrigation
3. the first domestication of animals
4. organic farming methods and nothing else