GB

14_AgHistoryF24

Agricultural History

  • Focus on the Green Revolution

  • Instructor: Professor Maier, Fall 2024

Green Revolution Overview

  • Motivation behind research: Plant genetics and technological changes

  • Key figures: Individuals promoting technology in agriculture and those warning of its risks

  • Impact measurement: Assessing positive and negative consequences

Research Motivations

  • Advances in plant genetics and technology

  • Specific focus on yields, hardiness, disease resistance, fertilizer compatibility

Infrastructure and Practices

  • Increased land cultivation even on poorer soils

  • Doubling of annual crop outputs

  • Improvements in: sowing and harvesting equipment, distribution networks

  • Heavy usage of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides

Key Personalities

Norman Borlaug

  • Led 20 years of experimental work in Mexico

  • Developed high-yield, drought-tolerant semi-dwarf wheat varieties

William Vogt

  • Ornithologist and ecologist

  • Advocated for conservation in the face of overpopulation

  • Recommended awareness of biological resource limitations

Fertilizer Development

  • Haber-Bosch process: synthesis of ammonia (NH3)

  • Utilizes atmospheric nitrogen and hydrogen from natural gas, using iron as a catalyst under high temperature and pressure

Impacts of the Green Revolution

Productivity Gains

  • Significant yield increases between 1960 and 2000:

    • Wheat: 208%

    • Rice: 109%

    • Maize: 157%

    • Potatoes: 78%

    • Cassava: 36%

Future Sustainability Challenges

Ecological Issues

  • Issues from soluble nitrogen fertilizer and pesticide applications:

    • Emissions of nitrous oxide (greenhouse gas)

    • Groundwater contamination and surface water eutrophication

Socio-economic Challenges

  • Erosion of traditional sustainable farming systems

  • Loss of indigenous seed banks

  • Intensive agriculture favors wealthy, marginalizes the poor

  • Current global food system issues: food scarcity alongside excess and waste

Summary of the Green Revolution

  • Drastic increase in global food crop production due to:

    • Development of high-yield variety (HYV) seeds

    • Increased use of inorganic pesticides and fertilizers

  • Short-term success averted famine and self-sufficiency in many developing countries

  • Long-term consequences include potential damage to soil and water systems

  • Nutritional outcomes showed uneven improvements, with diet diversity often declining and micronutrient malnutrition persisting.