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 their ability to offer commercial farming. Exports increased, improving the economic position of the state.
“www.haryana.nic.in and www.punjab.nic”
The Green Revolution saved lives and improved quality of life for many, but it is important to recognise the failures of the revolution, which are shown by the table below:
“www.oregonstate.edu/instruction: V. Problems with Green Revolution Agriculture”
Many people have different views and beliefs about whether or not the Green Revolution was a success or a failure. It is important not to forget the main concept of the Green Revolution, and that was to create an adequate global food supply. It is true that implications have affected the country, but not directly linked to the main source; food. The implications I feel are going to affect India in the long term. Poor soils and land degradation will be an issue in years to come, when the food supply must be maintained. The one implication, which is a concern, is Human population growth. There is no doubt that India has a population problem.
According to Malthusian theory, population will outstrip food supply. This can be applied to India as it has experienced a high rate of population growth as shown in the graph below.
“www.ask.com/indiapopulation”
Malthus identified that food supplies will increase arithmetically whilst population increases geometrically, thus resulting in a food crisis. Negative checks in the population such as the Bengal famine in 1943 would keep population in check. The situation in India, before the Green Revolution supports the theory of Malthus. However, since then, the implementation of the Green Revolution in India has allowed food production to increase supporting the ideas of Boserup whereby the use of technology would allow food production to support a growing population. However, if India’s population continues to grow, beyond the capabilities of the Green Revolution and use of technology, Malthusian’s theory will once again be prevalent.
I have assessed the implications and negative issues of the Green Revolution. The table below highlights the successes.
The Green Revolution has improved the food supply, but it is still not adequate for the size of the population. Although areas within India such as Punjab and Haryana have benefited, the majority of states still do not have the resources to supply adequate food to its population. India does not illustrate however that technology can be used to successfully improve food supplies, however the successes are spatially concentrated in the areas that have used technology. Therefore, we could rely on technology to improve food supplies but it must be recognised that this will come at a cost to the environment in the long term.
Genetically Modified (GM) crops are food plants that have been altered by the addition of foreign genes to enhance a desired trait. (Cambridge Scientific Abstracts, Genetically modified foods: Harmful or helpful
By Deborah B. Whitman, April 2000”)
GM crops have been implemented in many MEDC’s, whilst countries such as the United Kingdom are still considering whether to start growing GM crops. GM Crops have been introduced due to the economic benefits, which it possesses. The process is far more efficient, greatly increasing productivity. It is clear that the main cause behind MEDC’s implementing genetically modified crops is financial. The economic benefits are huge, and it is clear that it would be a way of penetrating the commercial farming market. The concept is not without implications, but many countries, which have already started to use GM crops, feel that the benefits outweigh these problems.
The United States of America is an example of an area, which has used GM Crops. Some states have their major concerns about using GM Crops. These are listed below:
It is important to be balanced and also consider the benefits of GM Crops. These benefits are discussed in the table below:
These points suggest that technology should not be relied on to supply an adequate global food supply. The USA is a MEDC, so it has no food shortages or problems e.g. famine. Unlike India, food is in surplus, so the development of GM Crops is seen as a luxury development. Is the USA being greedy? Are they striving for perfection? The real question is answered, when you ask yourself, are it necessary? USA does not need to improve its food supply however it has chosen to pursue the use of GM Crops.
The drawbacks and potential risks outweigh the benefits quite dramatically. In USA, the country has had economic losses of $8 million. Farmers in the USA feel that yields have reduced slightly rather than increasing. Contamination has also damaged a large percentage of exports. Problems could spread, and could lead to large-scale implications. For an area with such a strong economic status, the need to strive for perfection is totally unnecessary. The food supply in the United States of America and other MEDC’s will improve. GM crops are very productive and require less time, saving more money. Thus allowing a larger output for the farmers. USA has estimated that $400 million was lost last year alone on the whole of North America due to GM Crops. In North America, the growth of herbicide resistant Soya and insect resistant maize has been less profitable than natural varieties.
“www.rense.com/general29/duis.htm: GM Crops An Economic disaster in the US”
It is clearly evident through the 2 case studies that technology can play a part in improving and securing food supplies however there are also other issues, which need to be considered.
In reference to India, technology has secured food supplies, however it must be recognised that this is not sustainable as many future environmental issues, such as soil degradation will be inevitable. Securing India’s food supply will also depend largely upon stabilising population growth.
The case of the USA illustrates that the use of technology through GM Crops has increased agricultural productivity, however at a cost. There is still much uncertainty surrounding the use of GM Crops, which is why it is not yet a widespread phenomenon.
The following table summarises how the use of technology has secured food supplies:
Although the table clearly highlights that technology is a significant factor in securing global food supplies, there still exists an economic barrier in the world, which prevents certain countries in using technology to aid food production. I think we can rely on technology to secure global food production providing the produce is distributed throughout the world. However, it cannot be unnoticed that the use of technology will incur negative environmental impacts for the future, which is a decision that future decision makers will need to consider when implementing the use of technology to improve food supplies. I do not believe that this will be a priority for some governments where starvation is a real issue, but if sustainability of the environment is not considered, future agricultural production will decline and the food supply uncertainty will continue.
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