THE THREE AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTIONS

THOMAS MALTHUS 19th century economist Believed that because population grows geometrically and food production arithmetically famine was inevitable. Slowing the growth of population was the only possibility to prevent starvation History (so far) has proven Malthus wrong . . .

FIRST….. Domestication of plants and animals Define: Examples: Advantages:

INCREASE IN AGICTULTURAL PRODUCTION PER CAPITA

GREEN REVOLUTION A complex of improvements which greatly increased agricultural production - the second agricultural revolution Since 1950’s Greatest effect felt in LDCs Agricultural output outpaced population growth even without adding additional cropland Adoption of new, improved varieties of grains Defined as hybrids Examples:

Components of Green Revolution Application of better agricultural techniques Irrigation Mechanization Use of fertilizer Use of pesticides Dependance on Monocultures

Principal Beneficiaries of the Green Revolution RICE Thailand Vietnam Korea Indonesia WHEAT Mexico Egypt Turkey BOTH India China Pakistan

Costs of Green Revolution…. Irrigation Creation of dams Ecological consequences down and upriver Use of pesticides Chemicals DDT Insect resistance Use of Fertilizers Contain nitrates and phosphates Get into water and spur growth of algae Eutrification Chokes off light and oxygen below What about when algae dies?

Advantages to Monocultures Use of Monocultures Decreases resistance To insects and disease examples Advantages to Monocultures Easier on soil Examples Right combinations means less fertilizers needed Taller plants shade and protect lower plants etc.

The third Agricultural Revolution - Genetic manipulation of Food

“Golden Rice” THE GREAT YELLOW HOPE In 1982, the Rockefeller Foundation funded research into rice varieties to promote global health Nutritionally enhanced rice Used a daffodil gene Rice now produces beta-carotene The body converts beta-carotene to vitamin A Blindness in LDCs is caused by vitamin A deficiencies Time Magazine declares: “This rice could save a million kids a year.” Greenpeace acknowledged: “Golden rice is a moral challenge to our position.”

“Golden Rice” THE GREAT YELLOW HYPE An 11 year-old child would need to eat 15 pounds of golden rice a day to satisfy the minimum daily requirement of vitamin A Conversion of beta-carotene to vitamin A requires fat and protein in the diet (these are lacking in LDCs) Asians may not want to eat golden rice – they prefer white rice over the more nutrient rich brown rice which has always existed Education to push golden rice costs money – why not just hand out vitamin A? Golden rice cost more than $100 million to develop – it is just a PR stunt for genetically altered foods

“FRANKENFOODS”

How do they Do this? Literally cut and paste desired gene Source of genes? Created in a lab Taken from other species examples