The Political History of Food and the Green Revolution

What initiated the need for the Green Revolution?

• The need for more organic farming techniques

• The desire to improve taste in food globally

• The increase in global birth rates post–World War II

• The decrease in global food prices

Who funded the initial research that led to the Green Revolution?

• The United Nations

• The Rockefeller Foundation

• The World Bank

• The Gates Foundation

What was a distinguishing feature of the Green Revolution compared to other revolutions?

• It was led by a charismatic leader

• It involved a transfer of technologies to increase crop yields

• It resulted in political regime changes

• It was a violent uprising

What was a primary goal of the Green Revolution according to U.S. officials?

• To increase the global influence of the United States

• To prevent the spread of communism by reducing hunger

• To reduce the global reliance on pesticides

• To promote organic farming globally

How did the Green Revolution aim to fight communism?

• By promoting capitalist farming practices

• By reducing hunger and thus the appeal of communism

• Through diplomatic negotiations

• By militarizing agricultural communities

How did the Green Revolution impact India's agriculture?

• It decreased the population growth rate

• It resulted in a ban on genetically modified crops

• It made India one of the world's biggest rice producers

• It led to a decrease in rice production

Why were new varieties of wheat and rice important in the Green Revolution?

• They required less water to grow

• They were resistant to all pests

• They produced more grains per plant

• They could grow in any soil type without fertilizers

What role did political work play in the spread of Green Revolution technologies?

• It was unnecessary for the adoption of new farming techniques

• It acted as a 'fertilizer' to facilitate the transfer of technologies

• It solely involved creating legal frameworks for seed patents

• It was focused on reducing the cost of farming equipment

What is monoculture, as criticized in the Green Revolution?

• The use of a single type of pesticide

• Growing only one species of crop in a large area

• The practice of using only organic fertilizers

• A method of irrigation

What are some criticisms of the Green Revolution?

• Increased biodiversity and water abundance

• Sustainability concerns and environmental degradation

• Decrease in global food production

• Improved soil quality globally