The Green Revolution is a movement that sought to renovate the agricultural practices in developing nations. Beginning way back in Mexico in the 1940’s, this movement revolved around the areas of research, the development as well as the transfer of technological initiatives in the field of agriculture. The Director of the USAID (United States Agency for International Development) was the first person to use the term ‘Green Revolution’, speaking in marked reference to the revolution brought about by the development and spread of new technologies in the agricultural domain. The Green Revolution was developed to involve a high yielding variety (HYV) of seeds, pesticides and synthetic fertilizers to farmers, as well as better irrigational infrastructure, and modern management techniques to improve the yield.
The HYV Seeds
The whole purpose of the Green Revolution was to develop more responsive plants, with short and stiff straw that could support the heavier grains. The HYVs were also developed to mature faster, regardless of the season in which they were sowed. This allowed the farmers to harvest more than one crop in a year, on the same patch of land. Moreover, the HYVs were highly responsive to the fertilizers. The seeds were also designed to be more pest and disease resistant, yet retaining desirable traits for their cooking and consumption. The HYVs were also developed to have better potential for absorbing nitrogen from the soil.
Benefits of Using HYV Seeds
By using these hybrid seeds, farmers were able to even double their yields. The increased profits helped farmers acquire more lands to grow rice and wheat crops. The modernized irrigation system also helped boost their yields. The social impacts of the Green Revolution were also many, the foremost being the increase in the income of impoverished farmers. With abundance of grains, the Green Revolution contributed also to the improvement in the nutrition of the farmers and the poor. The use of HYVs also allowed the farmers to practice double-cropping, wherein they could plant more than a single crop per year.
Although ‘Green Revolution’ originally referred to only developments in rice and wheat, high-yielding variety seeds, since then, have been developed for a wider range of major food grains and crops, including millet, cassava, maize, and beans. On the whole, the Green Revolution is viewed as one of the major achievements in many of the developing countries. It added to the food security, helped the people overcome poverty and avoid being hunger-stricken, and had great positive impacts on the society in the developing nations.
About the Guy Cherkesky – The Guy with the Green Boots
As an international worker, Guy Cherkesky, is a well-known name among green enthusiasts all over the world. Aged 30 and living in Tennessee, United States, Guy has worked with top social organizations to promote the importance of a green living. From “Say no to Plastic” to the “Green Fuel” movement, he has been an indispensable brain behind all these activities. An Israeli by birth and a global citizen by heart, he is the new face of Green Movement. He is all set to undertake a global campaign urging citizens to shift to the use of bio-fuel. Stay tuned.
