Agriculture » Changes in agriculture and green revolution

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

Traditional farming methods and their limitations
The Green Revolution and its key components
Changes in modern agricultural practices
Environmental and social impacts of agricultural changes
Case studies of the Green Revolution in different countries
Sustainable farming approaches for the future

Changes in Agriculture and the Green Revolution

Agriculture has undergone dramatic changes over the past century. From traditional subsistence farming to high-tech commercial operations, the way we grow food has been transformed. One of the most significant shifts came with the Green Revolution, which dramatically increased food production around the world.

Key Definitions:

Green Revolution: A period of agricultural transformation (1950s-1970s) marked by the introduction of high-yielding crop varieties, chemical fertilisers, pesticides and modern farming techniques.
Subsistence farming: Growing just enough food to feed yourself and your family with little or no surplus.
Commercial farming: Growing crops or raising livestock primarily to sell for profit.
Intensive farming: Using large amounts of labour and capital relative to land area to maximise production.
Extensive farming: Using large areas of land with minimal inputs per unit area.

Traditional Agriculture vs Modern Agriculture

🌾 Traditional Agriculture

Traditional farming methods have been used for thousands of years and include:

Hand tools and animal power
Saved seeds from previous harvests
Natural fertilisers (manure, compost)
Crop rotation and fallowing
Low yields but sustainable practices
High labour requirements
Vulnerable to weather and pests

🏥 Modern Agriculture

Modern farming methods developed during and after the Green Revolution include:

Mechanisation (tractors, harvesters)
High-yielding varieties (HYVs)
Chemical fertilisers and pesticides
Irrigation systems
Higher yields but often less sustainable
Lower labour requirements
More resilient to environmental challenges

The Green Revolution: Transforming Global Agriculture

The Green Revolution began in the 1940s and reached its peak in the 1960s and 1970s. It was led by Norman Borlaug, who developed high-yielding wheat varieties in Mexico. The revolution was driven by the need to increase food production to feed a rapidly growing global population.

🌱 High-Yielding Varieties

Scientists developed new crop varieties (especially wheat, rice and maize) that:

Produced more grain per plant
Had shorter growing seasons
Were more responsive to fertilisers
Were more resistant to disease

💧 Irrigation & Fertilisers

Modern farming relies heavily on:

Expanded irrigation systems
Chemical fertilisers (NPK)
Pesticides and herbicides
Year-round growing seasons

🔨 Mechanisation

Modern equipment revolutionised farming:

Tractors replaced animal power
Combine harvesters increased efficiency
Reduced labour requirements
Allowed for farming at larger scales

Impacts of the Green Revolution

The Green Revolution had profound effects on food production, society and the environment. While it successfully increased crop yields and helped feed billions, it also created new challenges.

👍 Positive Impacts

Increased food production: Global grain production doubled between 1960-1985
Reduced hunger: Helped feed growing populations in developing countries
Lower food prices: Made food more affordable for many people
Economic growth: Created new industries and jobs
Land efficiency: Higher yields meant less land needed for farming

👎 Negative Impacts

Environmental damage: Soil degradation, water pollution, loss of biodiversity
Water depletion: Intensive irrigation lowered water tables
Chemical dependency: Reliance on fertilisers and pesticides
Economic inequality: Wealthier farmers benefited more than poor farmers
Loss of traditional knowledge: Decline in traditional farming practices

Case Study: The Green Revolution in India

India provides one of the most dramatic examples of the Green Revolution's impact:

Before the Green Revolution, India faced severe food shortages and famine risks
The program began in Punjab state in the 1960s with new wheat varieties
Wheat production increased from 12 million tonnes in 1964 to 55 million tonnes by 1990
India transformed from a food-importing nation to a food exporter
However, Punjab now faces serious environmental issues including:

Depleted groundwater (water tables falling by up to 1 meter per year)
Soil salinisation from intensive irrigation
Chemical pollution affecting health of rural communities
Growing economic inequality between large and small farmers

Recent Changes in Agriculture

Agriculture continues to evolve beyond the Green Revolution. Modern farming now incorporates new technologies and approaches to address sustainability challenges.

🔬 Precision Farming

Using technology to optimise inputs:

GPS-guided equipment
Soil sensors and drones
Variable rate application
Reduces waste and pollution

🌿 Organic Farming

Growing without synthetic chemicals:

Natural pest control
Organic fertilisers
Crop rotation systems
Focus on soil health

🌍 Sustainable Practices

Balancing production and conservation:

Conservation tillage
Integrated pest management
Water-efficient irrigation
Agroforestry systems

The Future of Agriculture

Agriculture faces significant challenges in the 21st century, including feeding a growing population, adapting to climate change and reducing environmental impacts. New approaches are emerging to address these challenges.

Sustainable Intensification

This approach aims to increase yields while minimising environmental impacts. It combines the best elements of traditional and modern farming with new technologies and practices:

Climate-smart agriculture: Practices that help farmers adapt to climate change
Agroecology: Applying ecological principles to farming systems
Genetic improvement: Using both traditional breeding and biotechnology
Digital agriculture: Using data and technology to optimise farming decisions
Reduced food waste: Improving storage, transport and distribution systems

Case Study: System of Rice Intensification (SRI)

SRI represents a modern evolution of traditional rice farming that increases yields while using fewer resources:

Developed in Madagascar in the 1980s and now used in over 50 countries
Plants younger seedlings with wider spacing
Uses less water through alternate wetting and drying
Incorporates organic matter to improve soil health
Results include:

20-50% higher yields
Up to 50% less water usage
90% reduction in seed requirements
Reduced methane emissions
Higher farmer incomes

Shows how combining traditional knowledge with modern science can create sustainable solutions

Key Takeaways

The story of agricultural change and the Green Revolution teaches us important lessons about the complex relationship between technology, food production and sustainability:

The Green Revolution dramatically increased food production and helped feed billions of people
Modern agricultural practices have both benefits and drawbacks
Environmental impacts of intensive farming include soil degradation, water pollution and biodiversity loss
Future agricultural systems need to balance productivity with sustainability
Combining traditional knowledge with modern science offers promising solutions
Different regions require different approaches based on local conditions

As you continue your geography studies, consider how these agricultural changes connect to other topics like population growth, economic development and environmental sustainability.