| Technology and the Green Revolution People have struggled mightily to sustain the green revolution, and more struggle lies ahead. These struggles have certainly contributed to the revolution's success to date. The average yield of most crops in many countries has increased significantly during the past 100 years. There is no doubt that a lot of this increase is due to technology factors that include: nitrogen fertilization; increased irrigation: selection of genotypes with increased harvest index and disease resistance; mechanization of planting, cultivation and harvesting; increased farmer knowledge and skill; and chemical weed and pest control. The relative role of these factors in any region or country has not been determined. Nor, more importantly, has their total role versus the role of the carbon dioxide increase. Since we are therefore ignorant as to what caused the green revolution we are ill equipped to continue it. Most importantly, we do not know the risk associated with slowing the carbon dioxide increase. Information regarding regional and national crop yields and use
of these technologies is available from the United Nation Food and Agriculture Organization. FAO also provides an extensive online statistical database:FAOSTAT. Table of Contents Carbon Dioxide -- The Miracle of Food. Introduction to the Greening Theory. The Green Revolution: feeding the global population. Technology and the Green Revolution. Government Policy Toward Carbon Dioxide: why is it negative? A Huge Hole in the Climate Change Science. The USDA Should Lead Greening Research, but it is doing nothing. Outline of a Greening Effect Benefit and Risk Assessment. |