1. Green revolution Done by: Derrick Toh (31) Dylan Fones Jin Kheng (4)
Lee Yiliang (13)
Class: S2

2. The definition
Green revolution– Application of science and technology to increase crop productivity. Includes technological advanced techniques like genetic engineering etc.

3. Countries undergoing Green Revolution
Sri Lanka
Bangladesh
Indonesia
North Korea
Myanmar
Thailand
Vietnam
Philippines
Malaysia
Mexico
Chile
Brazil
Argentina
Algeria
Tunisia
Nepal
China
India
Pakistan

4. Changes in agriculture in Asia since the onset of the Green evolution
1961
2000
Cereal production
309 million tones
962 million tonnes
Irrigated area
86 million hectares
176 million hectares
Tractors used
0.2 million
5 million
Fertiliser consumption
2 million tonnes
70 million tonnes
This table shows the change in agriculture in Asia by the end of the 20th century when 70% of wheat areas and 74% of rice areas were sown with HYVs.

5. Change in rate of growth of rice production in countries
Since the early 1990s, the rate of growth of food grain production has begun to slow down and in the 21st century the rate of population growth in a number of Asian countries is threatening to overtake the increase in food production.

6. The problem
Population growth globally is much faster than the increase in production of food. India is one case.
By the year 2000, the population in India will have reached 1 billion people and rise in food production must be at least by 40% to meet the demands of the people.
However, most of the India’s land has limited potential.

7. The rationale of Green Revolution
It includes techniques like genetic engineering to produce higher yielding varieties (HYVs) of crops and animals, mechanization, pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilisers and irrigation water. This maximizes yield per hectare and output per farmer.
HYVs is the flagship of Green Revolution.
During , India adopted Mexican Rice IR8 which had short stalk and a larger head than traditional ones, and yielded twice as much grain. However, large amounts of water and nitrogen are needed.
Up to 55% of India’s crops are HYVs. 85% of the Philippines’ crops are HYVs. However, only 13% of Thailand’s crops are HYVs. This is because Thai rice is of high quality and the techniques remain unchanged to preserve her status.

8. Adoption of HYVs 100 3 1 2 Time Rich poor gap
1 Fast adoption by farmers with plentiful land and/ or money. Land is used as security to buy seeds, irrigation pumps, fertilisers, pesticides, HYVs and so on, hence small farmers cannot benefit at first.
2 Adoption by smaller farms caused by: government- backed agricultural development projects, new seeds targeted for more environments and continued population pressure creating extra demand for more food.
3 Diffusion of new techniques to most farmers. Widespread adoption.
100 3 1 2
Adoption rate of HYVs (%)
Rich poor gap
Large farmers
Small farmers
Time

9. Challenges and problems
Higher cost of production
HYV’s of rice seeds and fertilizers etc cost money. Adoption of machinery as new technology will also raise cost of production.
Poorer farmers are unable to afford a higher cost of production while the richer ones can.

10. Challenges and problems
Widening income gap
Rich farmers can afford HYV’s seeds, power pumps for irrigation etc. Thus their yields increase and in turn income. However, there are many poor farmers in Asia and cannot afford new technology. Their yields remain low or may even decrease.

11. Challenges and problems
Over irrigation
Over irrigation by careless farmers results in water logging and salinity which ruin crops. This problem has destroyed more than 3 million hectares of farming land in North India.

12. Challenges and problems
Pollution
A lot of fertilizers and pesticides are used to ensure high yields. These contaminate the soils and are washed away by heavy rain into groundwater and rivers, polluting the water.

13. Challenges and problems
Prices affected by demand
The price of rice falls when there are high yields. When there is a surplus, farmers have to sell the crops at a reduced price.

14. Solutions
Continual research on development of HYV’s for seeds on different rice growing environments.
Eg. Research in India on rice varieties that can give high yields in rain fed areas to benefit those who cannot afford irrigation facilities.

15. Solutions
Governments have set up banks and co-operatives for providing loans at low interest rates to farmers.
These loans will allow farmers to buy better inputs.
Officers are also sent out to train farmers to use modern technology correctly.

16. Solutions Better provision and storage facilities
It is important to keep rice surplus in good condition for sale later. This will improve their income.

17. Case studies – India
In India, government investment on technology encouraged a huge growth in agriculture
Increase use of hybrid seeds and HYV
Reliance on machinery
Increase of fertiliser consumption
Use of animals for agricultural power decreased

18. Case Studies – India Before Green Rev. After Green Rev.
Wheat production
10 million tonnes
73 million tonnes
Wheat per hectare
851kg/ha
2607kg/ha
Irrigation
32%(wheat)
37%(rice)
88%(wheat)
52%(rice)
Malnutrition
39%
20%

19. Case Studies – India Problems At the beginning of the 21st century
Infertile land
Salt build up due to uncontrolled irrigation
Chemical fertilisers
Water pollution in rivers
Over use of groundwater
Insufficient water resource for future yields

20. Case Studies – Philippines
Rice HYV and cross bred hybrids with shorter stems were introduced.
Shorter stems
More energy goes to developing grain
Less likely to fall over
Easier to harvest by machinery

21. Case studies – Philippines
Before Green Rev.
After Green Rev.
Riceproduction
4 million tonnes
15 million tonnes
Wheat per hectare
2.5 tonnes/ha
3.68 tonnes/ha
Irrigation
0.9 million ha
2.8 million ha
Malnutrition
39%
20%

22. Case Studies – Philippines
Problem
Population pressure led to
Decline in farm size
Lower output per farm
Less income
Less growth and improvement for population

23. Case Studies – Africa
The green revolution had little success in Africa
Problems in Africa
Lack of irrigation potential and infrastructure
Political instability, corruption
Hybrids of rice and wheat not staple crops
Climate conditions
Availability of water
Soil types
Terrain and Relief

24. References
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Quiz1st.com
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