Lecture 9 - From Ancient to Modern Farming: The Green Revolution and the Prospect of Feeding the World

Professor Brownell discusses what the green revolution is and how it has impacted the world scene in both positive and negative ways. On one hand, the green revolution has increased world food productivity and decreased world hunger; on the other hand, it has produced negative environmental effects and failed to benefit all countries involved. Professor Brownell also reviews the green revolution's technology advances including different kinds of irrigation systems, fertilizers, pesticides, and biotechnology, and describes the future of the green revolution in Africa. Reading assignment: Davies, W. Paul. "An Historical Perspective from the Green Revolution to the Gene Revolution." Nutrition Reviews, 61 (2003), S124-134 Toenniessen, Gary, Akinwumi Adesina and Joseph DeVries. "Building an Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa." Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1136 (2008), pp. 233-242