Green Revolution and GMO's
By: Brynn Jones
What were the causes and results of the Bengal Famine in 1943?
There are two initial causes of the Bengal Famine. One of which was the "low priority for the British rulers" to export food to India. This was due to the importance of food quantity in order to feed the soldiers employed to fight in World War II. The second cause of the Bengal Famine was the hoarding of food "for reasons of profit". A large portion of inhabitants initiated this idea as a result of the realization that a food shortage was near. The result of the Bengal famine was the deaths of an estimated four million people in Eastern Asia alone.
Bengal Famine
An older child cleansing the face of a younger child.
Bengal Famine
Children in India.
Bengal Famine
A family suffering from the results of the Bengal Famine.
Briefly describe the three basic elements of the Green Revolution in India:
- Continued expansion of farming areas: In 1947, "expansion of cultivable land" occurred, specifically "quantitive expansion of farmlands".
- Double-cropping existing farmland: The act of creating an artificial monsoon in order to produce the maximum yield (creating two crop seasons per year) from the area of arable land available. This was possible through the creation of "huge irrigation facilities", dams, and "simple irrigation techniques".
- Using seeds with improved genetics: The Indian Council for Agricultural Research was reformed in 1973, where Dr. M.P. Singh "developed new strains of high yield value seeds", specifically wheat, rice, millet, and corn. The most notable of which was the K68 seed utilized for wheat.
List Two Positive Results of the Green Revolution in India:
- India was established as one of the world's biggest agricultural producers, by generating a record 131 million tons of grain in 1978-1979.
- Crops affected by HYV grew from 7% to 22% of the total cultivated area, more than 70% of the wheat crop area and 35% of the rice crop area.
List three positive economic, sociologic, or political results of the Green Revolution in India:
- Sociological: The creation of a plentiful amount of jobs was made possible through the creation of lateral facilities (factories and hydro-electric power stations).
- Political: India was able to transform itself from "a starving nation to an exporter of food". As a result, Third World countries began to view India in admiration.
- Economic: Due to an increase in irrigation, hydroelectric power was made available. This caused a boost in "industrial growth, created jobs, and improved the quality of life of people in villages".
Briefly Describe two limitations of the Green Revolution in India
- India is still failing to "extend the concept of high-yield value seeds to all crops or regions". As a result, India has only been able to extend this idea to food grains, not "all kinds of agricultural produce".
- The Green Revolution was not 100% successful. This is acquired based on the knowledge that in places such as Kalahandi, famine-like conditions are present. Reports of death due to starvation have been present and that is the current standing.
Positives verses negative affects of GMO'S
Positive:
- They create better resistance to weeds, pest and other diseases; such as corn
- GMO's create bigger yields to create more efficient use of land,which results in less uses of herbicides and other pesticides.
- They are capable of creating foods with better texture, flavor and nutritional value.
- Foods affected by GMO's have a longer shelf life for easier shipping
- GMO's can create an essential sustainable way to feed the world.
Negative Effects:
- Multiple toxins from GMO's detected in maternal and fetal blood.
- DNA from GMO's can be transferred into humans who eat them.
- A new study links GMO's to a Gluten disorder that affects 18 million Americans.
- A study links Glyphosate to Autism, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's
- Studies link genetically modified corn to rat tumors