Meeting World Food Needs: Lessons of the Green Revolution

The GREEN REVOLUTION has been offered as an example of both what to do and what not to do as international agriculture development. An appraisal is made of the benefits and consequences of the GREEN REVOLUTION far both wheat and rice. The history of the GREEN REVOLUTION is traced to its origins in pre-war Japan far both its concept and as the source of genetic material. The successful "production technology" approach of the wheat research program in Mexico is compared to the "appropriate technology" of the less successful maize research program. Lessens are drawn from the experience of the GREEN REVOLUTION that may prove helpful when planning or evaluating international agricultural development projects.