What was the Green Revolution, and what impact did it have on developing countries? Discuss the impact of the Green Revolution on the environment

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The need for higher quantity and better quality of food for the growing human population led in the mid- and late 20th century to the Green Revolution, wherein scientists in the developed world created methods and technology to increase crop output per unit area of existing cultivated land. In developing countries, this greatly increased agricultural production. The Green Revolution has enabled India to stop importing grain and to maintain extra grain reserves as a buffer against food shortages. But it depends heavily upon chemical pesticides and fertilizers, which can be expensive and lead to pesticide resistance. Environmentally, in the short term, this was positive because it decreased the need for new areas for cultivation and reduced rates of deforestation. Unfortunately, it also increased the use of water, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and fossil fuels, increasing pollution, salinization, desertification, and the chance of crops developing pesticide resistance and thus may not be sustainable.