The Green Revolution
"The Green Revolution has won a temporary success in man’s war against hunger and deprivation; it has given man a breathing space. If fully implemented, the revolution can provide sufficient food for sustenance during the next three decades. But the frightening power of human reproduction must also be curbed; otherwise the success of the Green Revolution with be ephemeral only." -Norman Borlaug (1970)
During the 20th century, modern
scientific research in agriculture led to yield
breakthroughs in the industrial countries. Improved agronomy, modern
plant breeding, and the development of fertilizers and pesticides led to these
advances. The spread of these advancements into developing nations lead to higher yields and is known as the Green Revolution.
"This was just not varieties but combined with chemical fertilizers, good soil preparations, and managing water."- Sanjaya Rajaram (2014)
"India was producing 10 million metric tons (of wheat) in 1960 which was not good enough... and they were getting aid some from the United States... and suddenly in 4 or 5 years on the same acreage our yields went all the way and continued to rise... it was a drastic agricultural transformation."-Sanjaya Rajaram (2014)
"Per capita incomes almost doubled in Asia between 1970 and 1995, and poverty declined from nearly three out of every five Asians in 1975 to less than one in three by 1995.The absolute number of poor people fell from 1.15 billion in 1975 to 825 million in 1995 despite a 60 percent increase in population."- International Food Policy Research Institute
The Green Revolution transformed Asia's and the world's economy. It created more jobs and a stable world through a healthier population. Norman Borlaug was the forerunner that lead and whose examples other scientists followed.