What is the 'Green Revolution'?

It refers to the introduction of modern farming techniques in developing countries. This involves the use of high yielding varieties of grains (HYVs), fertilisers, pesticides, irrigation and mechanisation.

Give me some examples of the Green Revolution in action.

• In Mexico new varieties of wheat and maize were developed. These HYVs were bred to withstand heavy rain, strong wind and diseases. As a result wheat yields improved by 300% and maize yields by 200%.
• In the Philippines a new type of rice called IR8 was developed. The first harvests of IR8 saw yields increase by 600%. The process of cross-breeding plants to produce HYVs still continues. Another type of rice IR36 was developed in the 1970's and IR58 was developed in the 1980's.
• The use of pesticides has helped cut crop losses, e.g. locust plagues are now rare because of the use of the pesticide aldrin.

The Green Revolution has succeeded in dramatically increasing food yields, but it has also led to some social and environmental problems.

Successes	Failures
Crop yields have increased.	HYVs depend on the use of fertilisers.
Most farmers with over one hectare of land have become better off.	Some farmers got into debt borrowing money to buy seeds, fertilisers etc.
New jobs have been created producing fertilisers, pesticides etc.	Environmental damage has been caused by overuse of chemical fertilisers, pesticides etc.
Some farmers can now afford to buy tractors or build irrigation systems, this helps to further increase their crop yields.	Mechanisation has increased rural unemployment, this in turn has led to more rural - urban migration.
Rural people have a more varied diet.	Some HYVs are unpopular because of their poor taste.