5.3 The Green Revolution
2 min read•january 2, 2023
Jenni MacLean
Mark Little
Jenni MacLean
Mark Little
Solving Starvation
With population increases hitting a peak, resourceful and efficient methods of food production became more and more necessary for our society. Producing more food for less money can solve some of the world's hunger problems as well as alleviate expensive product prices.
The started in the late 1960’s, and focused on increasing agriculture production. One of the leaders was Norman Borlaug, often called the “Father of the . He is credited for saving over a billion people from starvation. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for using new technologies to create high-yielding varieties of wheat and other grain plants inexpensively.
Impacts of Growth
This shift in has had positive impacts, but the strategies and practices have raised new concerns. The use of GMO (genetically modified organisms) plants, new , , and advances in are some of the new strategies being implemented today that created new challenges. These challenges include killing good insects for agriculture and harming other wildlife.
GMOs are variants of plants in which their DNA has been altered. In short, their genetic codes are changed in order to preserve freshness, longevity, and premium consumption quality. While this does provide us with better food on paper, concerns regarding the alteration arise due to fears of inorganic material or foreign reactions.
Increased farming modernization includes more reliance on , but it has led to increased profits and efficiency. Also, the modernization of farming is a concern because the traditional “” are vanishing. Agriculture now prefers industry and efficiency which unfortunately depletes more customary farming practices.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia
Key Terms to Review (8)
Agricultural Practices
: Agricultural practices refer to various activities carried out by farmers in order to produce food, fiber, and other agricultural products. These practices include planting, harvesting, fertilizing, pest control measures, and crop rotation.Family Farms
: Family farms are agricultural operations that are owned and operated by a family or a small group of individuals. These farms rely on the labor and management of family members, rather than hired workers.Fertilizers
: Fertilizers are substances that are added to soil or plants to provide essential nutrients for growth. They typically contain nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which help promote healthy plant development.Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
: Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are living organisms whose genetic material has been altered using biotechnology. This alteration allows scientists to introduce specific traits into the organism that would not have occurred naturally.Green Revolution
: The Green Revolution refers to a period of significant agricultural advancements in the mid-20th century that aimed to increase food production through the use of modern farming techniques, such as the adoption of high-yielding crop varieties, improved irrigation systems, and increased use of fertilizers and pesticides.Irrigation
: Irrigation is the process of supplying water to crops or plants in order to help them grow. It involves diverting water from a source, such as a river or well, and distributing it to fields through channels or pipes.Pesticides
: Pesticides are chemical substances used to kill or control pests such as insects, weeds, and fungi. They are commonly used in agriculture to protect crops from damage but can also have negative impacts on human health and the environment.Petroleum-based Fuels
: Petroleum-based fuels, also known as fossil fuels, are energy sources derived from the remains of ancient plants and animals. These fuels include gasoline, diesel, and natural gas, and they are primarily used for transportation, electricity generation, and heating.5.3 The Green Revolution
2 min read•january 2, 2023
Jenni MacLean
Mark Little
Jenni MacLean
Mark Little
Solving Starvation
With population increases hitting a peak, resourceful and efficient methods of food production became more and more necessary for our society. Producing more food for less money can solve some of the world's hunger problems as well as alleviate expensive product prices.
The started in the late 1960’s, and focused on increasing agriculture production. One of the leaders was Norman Borlaug, often called the “Father of the . He is credited for saving over a billion people from starvation. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for using new technologies to create high-yielding varieties of wheat and other grain plants inexpensively.
Impacts of Growth
This shift in has had positive impacts, but the strategies and practices have raised new concerns. The use of GMO (genetically modified organisms) plants, new , , and advances in are some of the new strategies being implemented today that created new challenges. These challenges include killing good insects for agriculture and harming other wildlife.
GMOs are variants of plants in which their DNA has been altered. In short, their genetic codes are changed in order to preserve freshness, longevity, and premium consumption quality. While this does provide us with better food on paper, concerns regarding the alteration arise due to fears of inorganic material or foreign reactions.
Increased farming modernization includes more reliance on , but it has led to increased profits and efficiency. Also, the modernization of farming is a concern because the traditional “” are vanishing. Agriculture now prefers industry and efficiency which unfortunately depletes more customary farming practices.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia
Key Terms to Review (8)
Agricultural Practices
: Agricultural practices refer to various activities carried out by farmers in order to produce food, fiber, and other agricultural products. These practices include planting, harvesting, fertilizing, pest control measures, and crop rotation.Family Farms
: Family farms are agricultural operations that are owned and operated by a family or a small group of individuals. These farms rely on the labor and management of family members, rather than hired workers.Fertilizers
: Fertilizers are substances that are added to soil or plants to provide essential nutrients for growth. They typically contain nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which help promote healthy plant development.Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
: Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are living organisms whose genetic material has been altered using biotechnology. This alteration allows scientists to introduce specific traits into the organism that would not have occurred naturally.Green Revolution
: The Green Revolution refers to a period of significant agricultural advancements in the mid-20th century that aimed to increase food production through the use of modern farming techniques, such as the adoption of high-yielding crop varieties, improved irrigation systems, and increased use of fertilizers and pesticides.Irrigation
: Irrigation is the process of supplying water to crops or plants in order to help them grow. It involves diverting water from a source, such as a river or well, and distributing it to fields through channels or pipes.Pesticides
: Pesticides are chemical substances used to kill or control pests such as insects, weeds, and fungi. They are commonly used in agriculture to protect crops from damage but can also have negative impacts on human health and the environment.Petroleum-based Fuels
: Petroleum-based fuels, also known as fossil fuels, are energy sources derived from the remains of ancient plants and animals. These fuels include gasoline, diesel, and natural gas, and they are primarily used for transportation, electricity generation, and heating.
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