The green revolution

Rice paddies, Philippines

Key features

• The green revolution was based on the use of high yielding varieties (HYVs) of rice, maize and wheat.
• Increased and improved mechanisation, irrigation and the increased use of agrochemicals (fertilisers and pesticides) were also important.

The green revolution has been responsible for many of the dramatic changes in areas of intensive peasant farming. These changes have affected the people, their way of life and the landscape. They have created some good and some bad effects.

Positive effects

• Higher yields mean people are better fed and may even have surplus crops for sale or export.
• Increased yields have meant a drop in food prices for local people in some areas.
• Faster growing HYVs allow an extra crop to be grown each year.
• Yields are more reliable as many new varieties are more disease-resistant.
• People can have a more varied diet, as higher yields allow some fields to be used for other crops, including vegetables.
• Irrigation allows more reliable harvests on previously marginal land.
• There is an enhanced quality of life with more money for better housing and better roads.

Negative effects

• HYVs need a reliable and controlled water supply and much greater amounts of machinery and agrochemicals. These greatly increase farmers' costs.
• Only rich farmers, who can afford to invest in these changes, will benefit.
• Those who can't afford the extra cost of modernisation run into debt and can end up being forced off their land.
• Mechanisation and farm amalgamations have led to rural unemployment and migration to already overcrowded cities.
• Overuse of irrigation has led to salinisation of soils.
• HYVs are more susceptible to pest damage.
• Increased use of pesticides has poisoned other types of wildlife in the environment.

The green revolution has therefore been of different value to different people in areas of intensive peasant farming.