Green revolution

Dr. Norman Borlaug pioneered the Green Revolution in Mexico and launched it in Asia. Now the time has come to create Africas green revolution. (Photo: M. Krogvold)

In the mid 20th century, economists and ecologists predicted that food supply would become inadequate to feed an increasing worldwide population. Without a series of Green Revolutions their predictions might have become true. Africa is the only continent still awaiting its revolution.

Norman Borlaug's pioneering wheat improvement program for the Rockefeller Foundation transformed Mexico's agricultural production during the 1940s and 50s. The new crop management technology developed by Borlaug's team involved the use of agricultural inputs, like high-yield seeds, fertilizers and irrigation, to triple yields.

During the following decades it was introduced to Pakistan, India, China, the Middle East, South America, North America and Australia, leading to dramatically improved yields in staple food crops like rice, wheat and maize. The increased food production helped lift billions of people out of hunger, achieving food security and general economic growth on four continents.