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by achow 780 days ago
On the other hand in 50-60s...

..The Government of India signed an agreement with the Rockefeller Foundation to carry out research to achieve higher food production. The program started with research for the development of suitable hybrids of maize followed by hybrids of sorghum and pearl millet.

The dwarf wheat bred by Dr. Borlaug in Mexico, named Sonaro 4 and Larmarojo, were introduced. These efforts created an agricultural revolution.

I consider myself a farmer and used to grow wheat on 80 acres. I was very happy to harvest about 500 quintals every year – about six quintals (600 kg) for every acre. The planting of Sonaro 64, with the agronomic practices recommended, led to a harvest of 20 quintals (2000 kg) an acre, which was more than three times the previous yield.

I remember three to four years after the introduction of those seeds, India’s wheat production expanded significantly, and quite rapidly India became self-sufficient in food.

https://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/88533/18096/when_th...

2 comments

Another quote:

> "The green revolution has won a temporary success in man's war against hunger and deprivation; it has given man a breathing space. If fully implemented, the revolution can provide sufficient food for sustenance during the next three decades. But the frightening power of human reproduction must also be curbed; otherwise the success of the green revolution will be ephemeral only. Most people still fail to comprehend the magnitude and menace of the "Population Monster"...Since man is potentially a rational being, however, I am confident that within the next two decades he will recognize the self-destructive course he steers along the road of irresponsible population growth..."

Finding out the author of this quote is left as an exercise to the reader...

He’s not wrong I think. What’s the implication here?
I'd guess "Malthusianism = doom = sad = bad = wrong", judging from how the topic of population gets received here every goddamn time it comes up.
that quote is impressive but it neglects to mention the chemical inputs that are enmeshed in those crop cycles
The green revolution of India was primarily because of newer strain of crops and mechanisation to some degree. Chemical industry simply was not mature enough in 50s to have been a major factor.
I can corroborate this. My family was involved in a chemical manufacturing business in India from the 60s onwards. My understanding from what my family tells me is that the 80s and early 90s is when a lot of these base manufacturing inputs became readily available.
interesting (!) good to put details on the general trends. crop type, latitude and elevation, proximity to rail and other industrial infrastructure, market economics with demographics.. more? all would inform this crucial and interdependent topic
What's a good paper that measures the total net effect including costs, chemicals, environmental effects?