The basis of green revolution dates back to the year 1944 when the Rockefeller Foundation developed an organization to enhance agricultural production in the Mexican farms. This led to a significant rise in the per capita output of agricultural products in the succeeding years since 1950 leading to a rise in the global population (Ameen and Shahid 129). The technique can be described as the integration of improved modern farm inputs to facilitate increased crop yields. Furthermore, the Green Revolution aimed at curbing the increasing rate of hunger and poverty in Asia. The success of the green revolution was facilitated by the amalgamation of the high level of investments in crop experiments, infrastructure, the creation of markets, and effective policies during the first green revolution (Tshuma 178). As a result, the green revolution has substantially impacted the agricultural sector irrespective of certain limitation it entails.
Positive and Negative Effects of Green Revolution
The green revolution is the major development in the agricultural sector based on its numerous advantages. For instance, the technology increases the use of chemical fertilizers that contain basic plant elements such as nitrogen thereby, enhancing increased farm yields (Ameen and Shahid 129). The revolution significantly facilitated the creation of irrigation systems that have helped advance agriculture in the dry areas. The mechanization of farming reduced human labor, hence, promoting large-scale agriculture. The invention of chemical pesticides and herbicide during the green revolution improved effective weed control (129). As such, the system played a key role in poverty and hunger reduction. However, the method has some limitations such as the constant use of chemical fertilizers lead to the loss of soil fertility and death of soil microbes (Tshuma 181). Additionally, irrigation encourages soil erosion and increased soil toxicity due to the over-reliance on chemical pesticides and herbicides.
My Opinion on Green Revolution on Agriculture
Based on the positive impacts enhanced by the Green Revolution, I concur that the discovery has significantly revolutionized the agricultural sector. For example, the invention has increased farm yields, thus, escalating farmers’ return. This further led to improved livelihood since most of the producers were able to expand their farms by 20% between the year 1965 and 1980 (Tshuma 179). The revolution similarly facilitated a decrease in the basic food costs which enabled the rural households to expand their food intake and achieve a balanced nutrition.
Should Government Use Policy to Control Agricultural Production
The primary objective of the agricultural policy is to promote effective agricultural activities that enhance food security, create job opportunities, and providing foreign exchange to a country. As such, the government should use policies to control and minimize risks and competition associated with agricultural production (Lipińska 87). The policies also help to regulate prices of various farm inputs, methods of processing and transporting agricultural produce, and ways in which a commodity is traded.
The Green revolution has significantly revolutionized the agricultural sector since it has helped to increase the farm yields by integrating the improved farm inputs. Some of the discoveries include the creation of chemical pesticides and herbicides that have helped in the effective management of weeds. Other innovations comprise irrigation systems, chemical fertilizers, and farm mechanization that have played a role in escalating agricultural produce. This has led to a substantial reduction in the level of poverty and reduced prices of farm commodities. However, governments should use policies to control agricultural productions since it will help avert risks and conflicts associated with agricultural resources such as land and escalating costs of farm inputs.
Works Cited
Ameen, Ayesha, and Shahid Raza. “Green Revolution: A Review”. International Journal of Advances in Scientific Research, vol. 3, no. 12, 2017, pp. 129-136. Scholar Science Journals, doi:10.7439/ijasr.v3i12.4410. Accessed 17 July 2018.
Lipińska, Izabela. “Managing the Risk in Agriculture Production: The Role of Government.” European Countryside, vol. 8, no. 2, 2016, pp. 86-97. https://www.degruyter.com/view/j/euco.2016.8.issue-2/euco-2016-0007/euco-2016-0007.xml
Tshuma, M. C. “Exploring the Need and Suitability of the Green Revolution in South Africa.” Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, vol. 7, no. 6, 2015, pp. 178-184. http://www.academicjournals.org/journal/JAERD/article-abstract/228B67853674