Green Revolution and GMO's
Informative Presentation by John Luke Miller
Causes and Effects of the Bengal Famine
The large population of India has led to many problems and will possibly lead to many more in the future. Yet of all the issues induced by the large population, the Bengal Famine was the most prominent. In British-controlled India during the year 1947 and after, many people starved due to a change in British priority. As World War II broke out, the British had to abandon the task of feeding those without, and most of which were left to starve. To make matters worse, Indian traders began to hoard all of the food so that they could sell it at a higher price. Such and act fully exploited the idea of war profiteering and ruined the starving people.
As a result of the famine, over four million people died of starvation. On top of this, the Green Revolution began in India and caused many changes to the population and the environment.
Green Revolution in India
The Green Revolution was introduced as an attempt to free Indian from its stage of famine. This was done by expanding farmland areas, double cropping and Improving seed genetics. By increasing the amount of land dedicated to agriculture, more food can be produced in less time and therefore feed more people. In addition to this, by using two sets of crops a year with two seasons of planting rather than one, the amount of food produced has been doubled. Finally, with aid from the Indian council of research, HYV (high yeilding value) seeds which could survive in more conditions and bring more crop which also increased the amount of food produced and helped bring India out of hunger.
Positive Impacts of the Green Revolution
Increased Crop Output
By the time the Green Revolution has taken full effect, India had its record grain outup of 131 million tons in1978-1979. This allowed India to become a new exporter of food grains which brought in needed income.
Increased Yeild Efficiency
The amount of yield per unit of farmland increased by more than 30% from 1947-1979. This was becuase of both double cropping and the use of HYV seeds in 22% of all the cultivated land.
Economic Benefits of the Indian Green Revolution
Not only did crop growth increase as a result of the Green Revolution in India, the economy benefited as well.
- Local manufacturing growth occurred as the demand of fertilizers, pesticides and other agriculture related chemicals increased.
- The increased irrigation required more dams to restrict water movement, The stored water was then used for hydroelectric power. This also boosted the industrial growth, created new jobs, and raised the quality of living.
- With income from the large crop exportation and energy creation, India was able to pay off loans from the World Bank which allowed for an increased creditworthiness.
Limitations of the Green Revolution
Regardless of all the positive impacts of the Green Revolution in India, there were inevitably limitations.
- India has not yet been able reach remote areas of the country with the HYV seeds making crop growth not as efficient as it should be. On top this, not all types of agriculture are produced meaning India still requires imports to get certain crops. This also means it is not self supportive.
- Many places in India still report death from starvation, including places like Kalahandi. This may not necessarily be from a lack of of food production, but rather a lack in social acceptance of the Green Revolution.
GMO's and their Effect of Agriculture:
Benefits
- Crops have a better taste, and increased level of nutrients.
- Crops have a better system of disease resistance.
- Crops grow faster.
- Crops require less land to grow.
- Livestock can produce larger eggs and greater amounts of milk and meat.
- Livestock has a higher resistance to disease and less waste.
- Increased vitamin A
Limitations
- Increased allergic development.
- Increased antibiotic resistance.
- Gene tampering with unknown effects.
- Undetermined consumption of hormones and insecticides by humans from livestock and crops.
- Increased amount of toxic byproducts from crops.