On February 26th, 2018, the International Development 101 class was presented with a documentary as part of the Technology, Information, and Development lecture to connect the concepts learned in class to a development issue. The documentary entitled “Freedom from Famine: The Norman Borlaug Story” focused on Norman Borlaug, an American farmer who is credited with saving over a billion people from starvation. Borlaug studied a B.Sc in forestry and Ph.D. in plant pathology from where he later accepted an agricultural research position in Mexico. His research on the disease infested and dying crop supply of wheat in Mexico lead to the successful use of cross-breeding and genetically modifying the plant, saving billions from hunger (as mentioned in the film). Borlaug took his technological knowledge to contribute to the “Green Revolution”.
The documentary showcased Norman Borlaug as determined to find a way to combat hunger and end food insecurity around the globe. He was shocked that such hunger disparities existed in Mexico, so close to his American home. The green revolution was a period in time when the productivity of global agriculture increased rapidly due to technological advances in farming. There have been several benefits of the green revolution: Borlaug and his team created new wheat varieties that are completely rust and disease resistant. In addition, through the process of shuttle breeding, he was able to transfer the best wheat crosses with differing weather conditions. For example, using shorter wheat seeds from Japan which reduced wind damage, Borlaug was creatively able to mix and match the seeds creating the best high-yield crops. These crops are designed to produce more overall yield. Advances in new chemical fertilizers and pesticides made it possible to supply crops with extra nutrients, which also aided in increasing wheat production. Furthermore, the green revolution was a catalyst in multiple cropping. This is the practice of growing a variety of crops on the same land, roughly at the same time during different growing seasons. Growing lots of crops on the same plot of land combined with the reduction in the price of producing food, a decrease in human labour, and increased crop supply, powered the remarkable decline in the price of food. The green revolution was able to give poor farmers more autonomy, these farmers were able to grow and export cash crops for profit. It is unbelievable that Pakistan accomplished in three years what Mexico achieved in fifteen. Borlaug was able to “save one billion people” from starvation and created farming that pushed for self-sufficiency. If the green revolution, “revolutionized” the way we produce, manage, and think about food.. why are people in the world still dying from starvation? Let’s explore some downsides of the green revolution.
Other critics argue that increasing food production does not necessarily translate to increasing food security. Many social and political barriers can play a major role in food distribution. While the Green Revolution was able to increase yield, little to no action was taken to address social or political factors affecting food security. In order to fully eradicate food insecurity, political corruption and public action must be controlled in order to ensure equal distribution (Vidal, 2014). It is an interconnected and complex process involving actors from the micro and macro levels.Additionally, Borlaug’s practices resulted in a decrease in traditional agriculture. In effect, many small farmers went into debt and lost farmland. This resulted in an increase of wealth inequality.
Lastly, the Green Revolution has been criticized for impeding the quality of diet in many of the affected communities. While yield was increased, nutritional quality was not. High yield crops produced in the Green Revolution often lacked proteins, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids while being high in carbohydrates. Crops were also less flavourful and could not be sold for as much by farmers. In addition, chemicals used in pesticides were responsible for killing native edible plant and animal species, further impacted traditional diets and cultures (Hazel, 2009). Because of the many drawbacks experience by the Green Revolution, it is clear that technology and development have a complicated relationship. While it is hard to take away from what the Green Revolution has accomplished in the field of development, there is more to the story than the film explored.
References:
AGORACOM Small-cap Investor Relations Blog. (2014, August 1). Retrieved March 05, 2018, AGORACOM
Hazell, P. (2009, September 22). Think Again: The Green Revolution. Retrieved March 03,2018
Slidepix. (2017, August 30). Our Favorite Green Quotes - The Green Revolution. Retrieved March 05, 2018, Postconsumers
Vidal, J. (2014, April 01). Norman Borlaug: humanitarian hero or menace to society?. Retrieved March 03, 2018, The Guardian