GREEN REVOLUTION = LDC

1945-1985

WHAT WAS IT?

Period of rapid changes in agricultural practices and technologies resulting in increased productivity. All started with RICE!

Subsistence farming Commercial farmingNew strains of crops (HYV) allowed

farmers to harvest a higher yield.Use of selective breeding to create larger ears of corn.

TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES

Artificial fertilizer

Irrigation

Insecticides and herbicides

Mechanical machineryCombines, tractors

HybridizationCrossbreeding crops to magnify a trait, such as disease resistance and frost resistance.

EXAMPLES OF WHERE IT WAS SUCCESSFUL

AsiaIndiaPhilippinesChinaVietnamLatin AmericaMexicoNorthern AfricaNorthern Africa

The Green

Revolution

occurred only in

LDCs,

not in the United

States or Europe

Social Middle class

farmers Education Availability of

credit, money, banks

Transportation system (infrastructure)

Political Market economy Receptive political

environment Political Stability

Cultural Acceptance of

new crops and practices

FACTORS NECESSARY TO MAKE IT SUCCESSFUL

Economic FactorsCost of materials (fertilizer, herbicides, fuel)

Credit unobtainable by certain groups (women, minorities)

Overwhelming debt (to farmers, to governments)

Global economyAvailability of funds (ability to take loans to purchase equipment, seeds, etc.)

OBSTACLES LDC’S HAVE TO FACE

Ecological Factors Decline in soil quality (fertility)Water pollutionFinite supply of water

Water table Seasonal droughts

Climate Erosion Desertification

Limited amount of arable landPotential loss of biodiversity

E.g. One crop takes the place of another