The History of the Green Revolution and Its Impact | High School Material

Summary

The Green Revolution, initiated by the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations, revolutionized global agriculture by introducing high-yielding crops, modern farming techniques, and advanced technologies. Beginning in the 1950s with wheat in Mexico and rice in the Philippines, it expanded to countries like India, Pakistan, and Indonesia. In Indonesia, the movement led to self-sufficiency in rice by 1979 and 1985. While it boosted food production and economic growth, it also led to challenges for small-scale farmers who struggled with the rising costs of technology and fertilizers. The Green Revolution had both positive and negative impacts, transforming agriculture globally.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Green Revolution refers to a movement aimed at increasing food production per hectare, starting in Mexico in the 1950s.
• 😀 It was initiated by the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation to develop more productive and pest-resistant seed varieties like wheat and rice.
• 😀 The Green Revolution focused on using modern agricultural technologies such as chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and controlled irrigation.
• 😀 The Green Revolution was influenced by the ideas of Thomas Robert Malthus, who believed that food production couldn't keep up with population growth, leading to inevitable poverty.
• 😀 Norman Borlaug, a U.S. scientist, played a key role in creating more productive wheat varieties, which helped Mexico become self-sufficient in wheat by the 1960s.
• 😀 The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines, founded by the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations, developed the high-yielding IR8 rice variety.
• 😀 In Indonesia, the Green Revolution movement occurred during the New Order era, focusing on agricultural modernization to increase yields and profits.
• 😀 The Green Revolution in Indonesia began in the 1960s, with students from the University of Indonesia initiating efforts to modernize farming practices.
• 😀 A key achievement of Indonesia's Green Revolution was rice self-sufficiency in 1979 and 1985, with food production increasing by 49%.
• 😀 The Green Revolution also had negative impacts, such as displacement of local farmers' jobs due to machinery and increased production costs from reliance on chemical inputs.

Q & A

What is the Green Revolution?

The Green Revolution refers to a series of initiatives aimed at increasing food production per hectare through technological advancements. It began with the development of high-yielding seed varieties and the use of modern agricultural practices like chemical fertilizers, agrochemicals, and irrigation.

Where did the Green Revolution first begin?

The Green Revolution first began in Mexico in the 1950s, where wheat varieties were developed, followed by rice development in the Philippines in 1961.

Who were the key organizations behind the Green Revolution?

The Green Revolution was initiated by the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation, which played a crucial role in funding and developing agricultural technologies in various countries.

What was the primary goal of the Green Revolution?

The primary goal of the Green Revolution was to increase food production by introducing modern farming techniques, including the use of high-yielding seed varieties, chemical fertilizers, and better irrigation systems.

Who is Norman Borlaug and what was his contribution to the Green Revolution?

Norman Borlaug was an American scientist who developed more productive and pest-resistant wheat varieties in Mexico, helping the country become self-sufficient in wheat production in the 1960s. His work played a major role in the success of the Green Revolution.

What was the role of Indonesia in the Green Revolution?

Indonesia embraced the Green Revolution during the New Order era, implementing agricultural modernization policies that included the use of high-yielding seeds, fertilizers, and improved irrigation. This helped the country achieve rice self-sufficiency in 1979 and 1985.

What was the impact of the Green Revolution on rice production in Indonesia?

The Green Revolution significantly boosted rice production in Indonesia, enabling the country to achieve rice self-sufficiency in 1979 and 1985, with production increasing by 49% in those years.

What was the Panca Usaha Tani in Indonesia?

The Panca Usaha Tani was a movement initiated by students from the University of Indonesia in 1961 to modernize agriculture, using high-yielding seed varieties, chemical fertilizers, and improved planting and irrigation methods.

What are some negative impacts of the Green Revolution in Indonesia?

The negative impacts included the displacement of local farmers who still relied on traditional farming methods, as modern technology like tractors and machines replaced manual labor. Additionally, the dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides raised production costs for farmers.

Why did Indonesia’s rice self-sufficiency not continue after 1985?

While Indonesia achieved rice self-sufficiency in 1979 and 1985, this success was not sustained due to a variety of factors, including rising production costs, challenges with modern farming techniques, and changing agricultural policies.