The green revolution is generally used to explain the application of modern, western-type farming techniques to less economically developed countries.

The Green Revolution began in Mexico, when after world war two the country had major problems with food shortages. New hybrids of wheat and maize were developed, these new varieties were dwarf plants capable of withstanding strong wind, heavy rain and disease, which had been the major cause of the food shortages. When this project started they had no intention of trying to transform the agriculture of other third world countries but, when the yields of wheat and maize increased by three and two times respectively, the seeds were taken to the Indian subcontinent.

In 1964, farmers in India were short of food, lacked a balanced diet and had an extremely low standard of living. The government had two choices either redistributes the land or improve the technology used by the farmer. They chose the latter and the green revolution began. Eighteen thousand tones of Mexican HYV wheat seeds were imported as well as large amounts of fertilizers. Tractors were imported to replace water buffalo. Communications were improved and there was some land consolidation.

Later new rice varieties were developed in the Philippines, most famously

the IR-8 variety which is famous for increasing yields six fold in its first harvest. Since then further improvements have decreased the growing season required, allowing for extra rice craps to be grown, and made strains tolerant to a less than optimum climate.

As with all new things there are advantages and disadvantages to the green revolution and these have been no more obvious than in the Indian subcontinent.

The Advantages are

* Wheat and rice yields have doubled

* Often an extra cropping per year

* Rice, wheat and maize have widened the diet

* Dwarf plants can withstand heavy rain and wind

* Farmers able to afford tractors, seed and fertilizer now have a higher standard of living

* Farmers with land exceeding 1 ha have usually become more wealthy

* The need for fertilizer has created new industry and jobs

* Some road improvements

* Area under irrigation has increased

* Some land consolidation

In short, a production and economic success that has lessened but not eliminated the threat of food shortages.

There are also many Disadvantages. These include

* HYV seeds need heavy application of fertilizer and pesticides, which have increased costs, encouraged weed growth and polluted water supplies.

* Extra irrigation is not always possible

* HYV not as drought-resistant nor as suited to waterlogged soils

* Farmers unable to afford tractors, seeds and fertilizers have become relatively poorer

* Farmers with less than 1 ha of land have usually become poorer

* Farmers who have to borrow money to buy seed and fertilizer are likely to get into debt

* Still only a few tractors, partly due to cost and shortage of fuel

* Mechanization has increased unemployment

* Some HYV crops are less palatable to eat

In short, social environmental and political failure, the gap between rich and poor and between groups has increased.