“The green revolution has won a temporary success in man's war against hunger and deprivation; it has given man a breathing space. If fully implemented, the revolution can provide sufficient food for sustenance during the next three decades. But the frightening power of human reproduction must also be tamed; otherwise the success of the green revolution will be only ephemeral.”
— Norman Borlaug, agricultural scientist, Nobel Lecture, 1970
Based on the passage and your knowledge of world history, which of the following was a primary technological innovation of the Green Revolution that led to the increased food production described by Borlaug?
- The breeding of high-yielding, disease-resistant crop varieties combined with the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticidesAnswer
- BThe implementation of eco-friendly farming practices and organic composting to restore natural soil biodiversity
- CThe global transfer of American food crop species such as maize and potatoes to Afro-Eurasian agricultural systems
- DThe creation of state-controlled cash crop plantations managed directly by European colonial administrations
Answer
The breeding of high-yielding, disease-resistant crop varieties combined with the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides
The correct option is correct because the Green Revolution in the mid-to-late twentieth century achieved massive increases in crop yields through the cultivation of scientifically developed high-yielding varieties of grain (such as dwarf wheat and rice) and the heavy application of synthetic fertilizers, chemical pesticides, and advanced irrigation.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
The Green Revolution utilized scientific advancements in crop breeding and chemical inputs to rapidly increase global food production in the mid-to-late twentieth century.