How has The Green Revolution contributed to famine reduction?

The Green Revolution (TGR): increase in cereal-grain production in developing countries in the 1960s and 1970s. Begun in Mexico.

Norman Borlaug researched the development of high-yield, disease resistant varieties of wheat. Green Revolution is somewhat controversial.

Selective plant crossing (sometimes called artificial selection): crossing two parents with desirable traits

In particular, crops were bred to resist rust: a fungal disease capable of devastating crops.

Crops bred to be shorter (won’t fall over) and more energy-packed.

Crops bred to be drought-resistant and survive in larger range of latitudes (elevation).

How is TGR related to the Malthusian Population Theory?

Malthusian theory: food production increases, pop increases exponentially, famine risk increases with pop increase.

To avoid famine, food is grown exponentially To avoid famine, food is grown exponentially. Biotech and TGR facilitate this growth. Got it?

GR irrigation methods: Drip method, center pivot, lateral move, and sub irrigation.

These methods 1) require less energy 2) minimize soil erosion 3) reduced the effects of droughts 4) produce greater crop yield.

Organic fertilizers, animal parts, urine, manure, bone meal, compost, etc., were used prior to TGR.

Synthetic fertilizers are produced industrially Synthetic fertilizers are produced industrially. Synthetic fertilizers significantly increased crops yields.

cultivation: preparing land for crops cultivation: preparing land for crops. fallow: leaving a field unsowed (seedless, no crop).

subsistence: supporting oneself with minimal quantity subsistence: supporting oneself with minimal quantity. subsidy: government money given to assist an industry. intensive farming: using large amounts of labor and capital relative to land area

LEDC farms typically use human labor rather than heavy machines to harvest and cultivate. MEDC farms use machines.

MEDC farms produce food not just for subsidence but also for profit ($cha ching!$). LEDC farms usually grow food for subsidence only.

LEDC farms typically use organic fertilizers, slower growing crop (not ness bad). LEDC farms use few pesticides if any, crops more likely to be harmed by pests.

MEDCs more likely to use pesticides MEDCs more likely to use pesticides. LEDCs rely more on field size to produce enough food rather than intensive farming.

MEDCs can overproduce food as a result of intensive farming MEDCs can overproduce food as a result of intensive farming. Government may subsidize farmers by paying for the excess crops if they are not sold.

Government may also reward farmers for allowing some fields to fallow.

Sustainable farming methods.