#Resource The Green Revolution, or Third Agricultural Revolution, was a global initiative from the 1940s to the late 1980s that transformed agriculture through technology and science to significantly increase crop yields. While it successfully averted mass famine and reduced global poverty, it also introduced long-term environmental and social challenges. Wikipedia +3 Key Figures & Origin Norman Borlaug: Known as the "Father of the Green Revolution," this American agronomist developed high-yielding, disease-resistant "semi-dwarf" wheat. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for his efforts, which are credited with saving over a billion people from starvation. M. S. Swaminathan: A geneticist known as the "Father of the Green Revolution in India," who led the successful adoption of these technologies in the 1960s. Yuan Longping: Often called the "Father of Hybrid Rice," his work in China is credited with saving millions more lives. Foundations: The movement was largely funded by the Rockefeller Foundation and the Ford Foundation, starting with a research project in Mexico in 1943. Wikipedia Wikipedia +4 Core Technologies & Practices The "package" of innovations used to intensify production included: High-Yielding Varieties (HYVs): Scientists bred "semi-dwarf" wheat and rice (like IR8 "Miracle Rice") that were shorter and sturdier, allowing them to support heavier grain heads without collapsing under the weight. Chemical Inputs: Heavy reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers and chemical pesticides to maximise the potential of HYVs. Modern Irrigation: Large-scale infrastructure like dams and tube wells provided a consistent water supply, allowing for "double-cropping" (harvesting twice a year). Mechanisation: The use of tractors, combines, and other machinery replaced traditional manual labour. Wikipedia Wikipedia +5 Major Impacts & Outcomes Impact Area Positive Outcomes Negative Consequences Food Security Cereal production more than doubled in developing nations; food prices dropped significantly. Focused on just a few crops (wheat, rice, maize), leading to "hidden hunger" or micronutrient deficiencies. Economic Contributed to widespread poverty reduction; India transformed from a starving nation to a food exporter. Benefited wealthy farmers more than smallholders, who often fell into debt due to high input costs. Environmental Increased yields prevented the conversion of millions of hectares of wild forest into farmland. Caused soil degradation, water pollution from chemical runoff, and severe groundwater depletion. Social Significantly reduced infant mortality in many developing countries. Displaced rural workers through mechanisation and contributed to the loss of indigenous crop varieties. Current Status: The "Evergreen" Revolution Today, experts call for a "Second Green Revolution" or "Evergreen Revolution". This new movement aims to solve the remaining challenges of the first revolution by focusing on: Wikipedia Wikipedia +1 Sustainability: Reducing chemical dependency and improving soil health. Climate Resilience: Developing crops that can withstand drought, salinity, and heat. Diversity: Reintroducing diverse, indigenous crops and using biotechnology (like gene editing) to improve nutritional quality. Kew Gardens Kew Gardens +4