Between 1940-1970, technological breakthroughs in agriculture implemented in LEDCs, aimed to help feed rising populations and solve food shortage problems.
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Main technology used
Modern irrigation techniques. pesticides. High yielding variety seeds (HYV)
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Irrigation: What was it and how did it help?
Removal of groundwater from aquifers using diesel and electric pumps. Created an artificial monsoon season, less labour needed (diesel/electric).
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Pesticides/fertilisers: What was it and how did it help?
Prevented insects/pests from destroying crops- helped increase yield.
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HYV: What was it and how did it help?
New hybrid crop varieties. Yields up to four times greater, shorter growing seasons, could withstand wind/rain.
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Human positives:
Less need for labour in irrigation, more varied diet in LIC, farming incomes rose- knock-on effect in economy, local infrastructure upgraded, employment in industries supplying farms, high returns=justifies more irrigation.
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Negatives:
Irrigation: removed water faster than recharge- salinisation. Pesticides- damage environment/animals. HYVs- need high inputs of pesticides, lower in vitamins/minerals, worse taste
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Human disadvantages:
Water quality worsened. Mechanisation=rural unemployment. Poorer farms- cant afford new technology=poverty. Social divisions. Farmers borrow money= debt from one poor harvest
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Examples
Phillipines- Annual rice production: 3.7-7.7 million tonnes in 2 decades. India: yield increased by over 30% from 1947-1979. Paid back loans to World Bank. Developed/changed both economies into exporting countries. Still issues of food shortages...
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
Main technology used
Back
Modern irrigation techniques. pesticides. High yielding variety seeds (HYV)
Card 3
Front
Irrigation: What was it and how did it help?
Back
Card 4
Front
Pesticides/fertilisers: What was it and how did it help?
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