The Green Revolution

New technology is necessary to increase food production. There is a finite ability within the DNA of any given plant to reproduce. To increase this reproduction ability, the DNA must be genetically altered through cross breeding or genetic engineering. Otherwise, the plant will be unable to exceed its original production capability. There are downfalls to depending on technology to increase food production. Plant pathogens are consistently evolving to allow themselves to invade resistant plants. “These genetic interactions between host and parasite constantly occur in the natural environment” (Plants & Society). It is a never ending battle for plant pathologists and breeders to stay ahead of the mutations that could conceivably destroy a major part of the world’s food supply. Also, crossbreeding is generally limited to the “big three” of the world’s food supply – wheat, rice and corn. This has drastically reduced crop plant diversity, increased pollution from fertilizers and pesticides, and removed water from underground sources so rapidly that nature cannot replenish it, and huge sinkholes have resulted in various parts of the country as the earth collapses into what was once a water-filled aquifer.

There is a growing awareness of the problems due to the effects of the “Green Revolution”. As wonderful as the increased food production was in many countries, the dependence on fertilizers and pesticides, irrigation, and machinery has pushed many small and/or poor farmers out of the industry. The reliance on machinery and pesticides has become more and more expensive as the cost of petroleum has increased. The environmental damage due to the “. . . dramatic increase in fertilizer use over the past several decades has also caused serious environmental problems” (Plants & Society). This, coupled with pesticide use, has created numerous environmental and health issues worldwide.

Critics looking at the problems created by the Green Revolution believe that modeling agriculture after natural systems will help restore local environments, health and economies. A move towards perennial plants that would be harvested at different times of the year and would need replanting only after several years of production would yield many benefits. Soil erosion would be decreased, and dependence on fertilizers and pesticides would be minimized.

Works Cited

"Feeding a Hungry World", Plants and Society, 5th Edition, Levetin and McMahon,
pg 239 for both sources