Green Revolution in the World: The Green Revolution was started with the motive to increase crop production mainly, wheat and rice by Norman Borlaug in 1966. In the initial phase, a high-yielding variety of wheat from brought from Mexico to Punjab to ensure high production. This revolutionary movement was marked as a significant event in the agricultural history of the world. Not only did it address the concern of global hunger, but it also played a pivotal role in ensuring food security and the introduction of new and advanced farming techniques.
In this article, we will discuss the Green Revolution, how it has changed people’s lives, and what are the Impacts of the Green Revolution on the environment in detail. Also, learn about who was the Father of the Green Revolution and other interesting facts.
Table of Content
What is the Green Revolution?
The Green Revolution refers to a series of research, development, and technology transfer initiatives that increased production worldwide, particularly in developing countries. The initiatives were led by Norman Borlaug, the father of the Green Revolution, which saved over a billion people from starvation. The Green Revolution was started in 1966–67. Mexico is called the birthplace of the Green Revolution.
Because of the mass famine conditions in India, Norman Borlaug brought a high-yielding, disease-resistant variant of wheat from Mexico to Punjab. This step was made in 1966 for the first time to ensure high production of two main crops, i.e. wheat and rice.
Father of the Green Revolution
Norman Borlaug was considered the Father of the Green Revolution in 1966, who brought high-yielding varieties of crops in India, but within the states of India, MS Swaminathan played a very important role in spreading awareness and is considered as Father of the Indian Green Revolution. Norman received a Nobel Prize in 1970, and he has developed a generation of wheat varieties with a wide adaptation to growing conditions.
The Green Revolution began in the late 1960s and developed agricultural productivity worldwide, mostly in developing countries.
Concepts and Objectives of the Green Revolution
The concept of the Green Revolution came from watching the needs of this huge global population, and scientists have thought about how the food requirements of this world will not be fulfilled if they do not bring about a change in the system.
This green revolution concept was first adopted by scientists in the year 1940, but it started working in the year 1960 and onwards. With this revolution, new farming techniques have been used, and the usage of pesticides and fertilizers has also increased.
Listed below are some of the key objectives of this revolutionary movement:
1. Address the hunger crisis:
This movement was launched during the second five-year plan, primarily to address the concern of the hunger crisis in India during that period. Particularly during the Bengal famine of 1943, India witnessed the worst food crisis ever recorded, which led to the deaths of 4 million people.
2. Employment opportunities:
Another significant objective behind this movement was to provide employment opportunities to workers related to both the agricultural and industrial sectors.
3. Development Agriculture:
The long-term perspective of this movement aimed at the overall development of the agricultural sector, including innovation of new farming techniques, increasing crop yield, and modernization of both the industrial and agricultural sectors.
Technologies used by the Green Revolution
There are a variety of technologies that have been used under the green revolution, and some of those technologies are high-yielding varieties, irrigation, and chemicals used in production. Here we have only discussed high-yielding varieties:
1. High-Yielding Varieties
Higher-yielding seeds (HYV) are the seeds that have the ability to produce large quantities of crops, which include rice and wheat. with the help of regular water supply or good quality fertilizers and pesticides are required during the production of good-quality crops.
These are mostly grown on commercial farms, which means people who want to make more profit from their small farms use this technology. This system gained popularity in the year 1960, and since then it has become an important part of the Green Revolution.
2. Selective Breeding
To double up crop production, selective breeding of plants played a significant role. For example, breeding plants that are not sensitive to light ensures crop production is not limited to only those regions with a significant amount of light.
Effects of Green Revolution
There are a majority of key effects of the Green Revolution, but the most important are production increases and effects on food security. Let us discuss them in detail:
1. Production increases
This is one of the most effective parts of the Green Revolution, as production has increased significantly in some parts of the country using these modern techniques. Some countries, like India and Mexico, have seen high food output from the green revolution and have successfully resolved many food-related problems around the world.
2. Effects on food security
Food security is very important for the world, and the Green Revolution has effectively contributed to securing food not only for themselves but for future generations as well, and it is continuing to do so. These effects are not permanent; some issues are always created while applying these modern techniques, but they still help farmers make the most of them.
Socio-economic Impacts of the Green Revolution in the World
There are many socioeconomic impacts of the green revolution, and some of the most important impacts are:
1. Income
The Green Revolution has made farmers rich in many parts of the world, but every coin has two faces, and with the this revolution, many large landowners have taken advantage of small farmers with small farms, and due to this, they have not had equal opportunity in society. People who have more land or resources exploit people who have fewer resources, thus creating social differences.
2. Rural-Urban Migration
Smallholder farmers and landless farm workers face financial difficulties, which has led to an increase in rural-urban migration and, due to increased food production, has led to cheaper food for city people.
Environmental Impacts of Green Revolution in the World
The development of Green Revolution agriculture has impacted both agricultural and natural biodiversity, and due to this, major concerns have been raised about a food supply’s vulnerability to sickness that crop chemicals cannot control, as well as the permanent loss of many valuable genetic features produced into traditional varieties over thousands of years.
Some of the important key points of the impacts of the Green Revolution are:
1. Agricultural impact of the Green Revolution:
When people use more fertilizers and pesticides on their soil, then the acidity of the soil increases, causing the soil to degrade, or it could also lead to water pollution.
2. Biodiversity impact of the Green Revolution:
If people continue to focus on the high yielding of crops, then it will definitely lead to biodiversity loss, and people will start facing many environmental problems.
Conclusion – Green Revolution in the World
From the above blog, it is clear that the green revolution plays a very important role in satisfying everyone’s food requirements and also helps it fulfill future food requirements as well, but it all comes with some disadvantages as these modern techniques could lead to environmental problems and several types of pollution. With these techniques, our soil can be degraded because of the high level of chemical and pesticide usage.
Related Articles:
FAQs on Green Revolution in the World
What are high-yielding varieties (HYVs)?
High-yielding varieties are seeds that are capable of producing large quantities of crops, which can be rice and wheat. This can all be done with the help of regular water supply, fertilizers, and pesticides.
What are the consequences of the Green Revolution for manufacturing?
The Green Revolution has resulted in important increases in agricultural output, particularly in India and Mexico. These new procedures were important in resolving food-related issues and improving food yield.
How did the Green Revolution impacts food security?
By expanding food production, the Green Revolution helped people improve food security. While it helped in resolving urgent food-related concerns, access and transport issues remain.
Who started Green Revolution in the world?
Norman Borlaug is considered the Father of the Green Revolution who started Green Revolution in the World.
What countries had Green Revolution?
- India
- Mexico
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Indonesia
- China