Thomas Malthus believed that population would grow geometrically while food production could only grow arithmetically, inevitably leading to famine. However, history has proven him wrong so far. The Green Revolution involved adopting new varieties of grains and improved agricultural techniques like irrigation, mechanization, and use of fertilizers and pesticides, which greatly increased agricultural output in developing countries between the 1950s-1990s and allowed food production to outpace population growth. However, it also had drawbacks like favoring wealthy farmers and leading to environmental issues. Biotechnology now uses organisms to modify and improve plants and animals through genetic engineering, but this remains a controversial issue for consumers.

1. THE GREEN REVOLUTION
§ (The Third
Agricultural
Revolution)
§ And Biotechnology

2. THOMAS MALTHUS
§ 19th century economist
§ Believed that because population grows
geometrically and food production
arithmetically famine was inevitable.
§ Slowing the growth of population was the only
possibility to prevent starvation
History (so far) has proven Malthus wrong . . .

4. POPULATION and FOOD PRODUCTION GROWTH
Percentage increases 1980-1990
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%
PERCAPITA INCREASE IN
FOOD PRODUCTION
FOOD PRODUCTION
POPULATION
LDCs MDCs

5. INCREASE IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION PER CAPITA

6. GREEN REVOLUTION
§ Adoption of new,
improved varieties of
grains
§ Application of better
agricultural
techniques
§ Irrigation
§ Mechanization
§ Use of fertilizer
§ Use of pesticides
§ Since 1950’s
§ Greatest effect felt in
LDCs
§ Agricultural output
outpaced population
growth even without
adding additional
cropland
A complex of improvements which greatly
increased agricultural production

7. § WHEAT
Mexico
Egypt
Turkey
§ RICE
Thailand
Vietnam
Korea
Indonesia
Principal Beneficiaries of the Green Revolution
§ BOTH
India
China
Pakistan

8. “Green Revolution”

9. “Green Revolution”
drawbacks
§ Favored farmers who could afford seeds,
inputs, machines, irrigation
§ Indebted farmers lost land, moved to cities
§ New “monocrops” lacked resistance to
disease/pests
§ Environmental contamination, erosion
§ Oriented to export “cash crops,” not domestic
food

10. Biotechnology:
Using organisms to…
§ Make or modify products
§ Improve plants or animals
§ Develop new microorganisms
§ Crossing natural divides between species
§ Not just crossbreeding

11. Genetic Engineering

12. Genetically Modified
Organisms (GMO)
Consumer concerns
began in Europe,
now in U.S. too

13. “FRANKENFOODS”

15. GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS - 2000
Others, 9%
Argentina, 23%
USA,68%

17. Bovine Growth
Hormone (BGH)