The Green Revolution (College Board AP® Environmental Science): Study Guide

Changes in agricultural pracitces & strategies

What is the Green Revolution?

• The Green Revolution refers to a period of widespread agricultural transformation that began in the mid-20th century

  • The aim of this transformation was to increase global food production

• It introduced:

  • Modern farming techniques

  • High-yield crop varieties

  • New agricultural technologies

• The goal was to combat food shortages and improve agricultural efficiency, particularly in developing countries

Key agricultural strategies and changes

Mechanization

• Mechanization of farming refers to the use of machines and technology to perform agricultural tasks that were traditionally done by manual labor or animals

• It includes the use of:

  • tractors

  • harvesters

  • irrigation systems

  • automated planting equipment

• Mechanization has revolutionized farming by increasing efficiency, productivity, and profitability

• Negative impacts:

  • Led to soil compaction, increased fuel consumption, and greater reliance on non-renewable resources

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

• The development of genetically engineered crops has increased the resistance to pests, diseases, and harsh environmental conditions

• Examples: Bt corn (resistant to pests) and Golden Rice (fortified with Vitamin A)

• However, the negative impacts have led to a loss of crop genetic diversity and concerns over unknown long-term health effects

Fertilization

• Increased use of synthetic fertilizers (such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium-based fertilizers) to enhance soil fertility

• Allows for higher crop yields and improved soil productivity

• Negative impacts:

  • Runoff from excess fertilizer use leads to eutrophication, polluting waterways and harming aquatic life

Irrigation

• Expansion of large-scale irrigation systems improved crop growth in dry areas

• Enables year-round farming and increased food security

• Negative impacts:

  • Overuse of water resources led to groundwater depletion and soil salinization

Use of pesticides

• Widespread use of chemical pesticides to control insects, weeds, and plant diseases

• Increases crop survival rates and productivity

• Negative impacts:

  • Pesticide resistance in pests, contamination of soil and water, and harm to beneficial insects such as pollinators

Mechanization of farming

Advantages of mechanization

Increased efficiency and productivity

• Machines can perform tasks faster and with greater precision than human labor

• Reduces the time required for planting, harvesting, and irrigation, leading to more frequent and higher yields

  • For example:

    • Combine harvesters can quickly process large amounts of grain compared to manual harvesting

    • Mechanized irrigation systems ensure consistent water supply, reducing crop losses due to drought

Reduced labor costs

• Farms require fewer workers, reducing overall labor expenses

• Allows for expansion of farm size without a proportional increase in labor needs

Increased profits

• Higher crop yields and reduced labor costs lead to greater financial returns for farmers

• Allows for mass production of food, making agricultural products more affordable

Disadvantages of mechanization

Increased reliance on fossil fuels

• Most agricultural machinery runs on diesel or gasoline, contributing to carbon emissions and air pollution

• Rising fuel costs can increase operating expenses for farmers

Soil degradation and compaction

• Heavy machinery compresses soil

  • This reduces water infiltration and root growth

• Compaction can lead to lower crop yields over time and increased need for soil management techniques

High initial investment costs

• Mechanized equipment is expensive to purchase and maintain

• Small-scale farmers may struggle to afford modern machinery

Unemployment in rural areas

• Reduced demand for farm labor can lead to job losses in agricultural communities

• Particularly affects developing countries where farming is a major source of employment