General
What is The Green Revolution?
The period of rapid agricultural advancements, beginning in the mid-20th century, that significantly increased food production worldwide.
What are some benefits of the Green Revolution?
Addresses food famines, crop yields, may provide food for commercial and subsistence farming.
What is soil degradation, water pollution, or loss of biodiversity?
A major environmental criticism related to the increased use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, water becomes contaminated, soil losses fertility, plant life does not become diverse.
What is selective breeding or genetic engineering?
The breeding of plants for specific desirable traits, a fundamental practice behind high-yielding varieties.
What is sustainable agriculture?
The modern approach to agriculture that emphasizes environmental sustainability, local food systems, and reduced reliance on chemical inputs.
What were some technological advancements in this time period?
GMO's, Fertilizer, Steel Plow, Hybrid seeds, Irrigation, Tractors, etc.
What were some negative impacts of The Green Revolution?
Environmental pollution, disadvantages to LDC's.
What are high input costs?
The economic criticism regarding the high costs associated with purchasing seeds, fertilizers, and machinery, often leading to debt for farmers.
What is irrigation?
The process by which water is supplied to land for agriculture, a crucial component for the success of many Green Revolution crops.
What is genetic modification?
The technology that represents a potential "Second Green Revolution" by directly altering the genetic material of crops.
Name any important crops that were modified in the period.
Corn, Rice, Wheat, etc
What is population growth or improved human well-being?
The demographic impact of the Green Revolution, leading to improved health and reduced mortality rates in some areas.
What is reduced crop resilience or increased vulnerability to pests/diseases?
The long-term environmental concern related to the loss of genetic diversity in crops as farmers increasingly planted monocultures of high-yielding varieties.
What is monoculture?
The agricultural practice of growing a single crop repeatedly on the same land, often associated with Green Revolution techniques.
What is food insecurity or hunger?
The ongoing challenge that the Green Revolution did not fully solve, as food distribution and access remain issues despite increased production.
What are developing countries or less developed countries (LDCs)?
The type of countries that primarily benefited from the initial successes of the Green Revolution, particularly in Asia and Latin America.
What is increased land productivity or intensification of agriculture?
The impact on agricultural land use that meant less new land needed to be converted for farming, preserving some natural habitats.
What are pesticide poisoning or health risks for farmers?
A human health concern associated with the increased use of pesticides, particularly for agricultural workers.
What is agribusiness or agricultural industrialization?
The application of scientific principles and new technologies to agricultural production.
What is food sustainability or sustainable development goals?
The concept that acknowledges the need to produce enough food for a growing population while also protecting natural resources for future generations.
What are agricultural inputs?
The technological components that were crucial for the success of high-yielding varieties, including irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides.
What is enhanced food security?
The global impact of increased food availability that helped to stabilize food prices and reduce dependency on food imports for some nations.
What is increased income inequality?
The social criticism that the Green Revolution disproportionately benefited large landowners over small farmers, exacerbating existing inequalities.
What is the Malthusian theory?
The concept that increasing food production is necessary to keep pace with population growth, a driving force behind the Green Revolution.
What is agri-food localization or food sovereignty?
This contemporary agricultural approach, which emerged partly as a critique of the Green Revolution, prioritizes local food systems, reduced reliance on industrial inputs, and ecological balance, often emphasizing the benefits of short food supply chains.