'To what extent should we rely on technology to secure an adequate global food supply?'

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‘To what extent should we rely on technology to secure an adequate global food supply?’

Abstract:

Mechanisation and other technologies have made headway in trying to ensure an adequate global food supply. The fact remains that people still suffer from the effects of famine and malnutrition. With this in mind it is imperative that new technologies are considered in places where food supply falls short of demand. Genetically modified crops are one way in which technology may be used to increase food supply. It is controversial and its potential will be examined. The Green Revolution was once heralded as the answer to third world famine; has it lived up to expectation?

Technology is an ongoing development used to improve production and other uses both economically and socially. Technology is used in all food and farming, since modernisation has really started to develop. More and more machinery is being used to increase yields and productivity, improving the wealth of companies and other farmers.

The Green Revolution and Genetically Modified Crops are two technologies, which have led to increases in food supplies. Both technologies have made an impact in the countries where they have been implemented or tested. Two case studies will be used to give an understanding of the impact of the Green Revolution in India, these being Punjab and Haryana, whilst the USA gives an indication of the GM crops debate. The world map below indicates the location of Punjab and Haryana in India, and the USA.

Across the globe, there are inequalities, which have left some wealthy, and others with nothing at all. There is a clear problem between Less economically developed countries and More economically developed countries. Global disparities have led to a polarisation of wealth between the rich North and poor South. Many factors have played a role in these growing global disparities in food production. These consist of:

This report aims to assess the extent to which we should rely on technology. How much can countries actually rely on technology to improve their food supplies? The argument arises when LEDC’s rely too heavily on technology to provide an adequate food supply, as this can lead to serious economic and environmental consequences.

The Green Revolution is defined as:

“The introduction of pesticides and high yield grains and better management during the 1960’s and 1970’s which greatly increased agricultural productivity”.

www.freedictionary.com

The Green Revolution is a prime example of technology providing an adequate global food supply. In 1943 India experienced a food disaster, which was known as the Bengal famine. During this period, four million people died of hunger in that year alone. Theories were created that food shortage was the catalyst. The Green Revolution occurred during 1967 to 1978. Before the Green Revolution, attempts to improve food shortage were ineffective. Starvation continued to spread through India, resulting in a rising death toll. However, implementation of the Green Revolution was seen to be very successful in two major states:

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  • Punjab
  • Haryana

The introduction of the Green Revolution had mixed results for both states in terms of their economic and environmental situation and with the respect to their food supply problems.

Haryana benefited from the Green Revolution. Haryana has 80% of their population working in agriculture. The government gave subsidies to the farmers in Haryana, which has enabled them to grow adequate amounts of food supply. This has also enabled higher yields for commercial farming. This in turn would cater for the growing population. Punjab saw an increase of crop intensity by 183%, greatly increasing ...

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