002 - Green Revolution

Syllabus Points

Explain (AO2) how changes in agricultural systems, scientific and technological innovations, the expansion of the area under agriculture and growth of agribusiness have increased the availability of food in some areas, starting with the Green Revolution and continuing since.

Key Terminology

• Explain
• Agriculture
• Agribusiness
• Green Revolution

Using the command term posters in the classroom, your 'Geography Course Companion' by Nagle and Cooke and the links define the words above.

Activity One - Review

• Discuss the key concepts of neo-Malthusian and Boserup points of view (this links to the Core, specifically Patterns in resource consumption).

Activity Two - Watch

Watch the youtube clip below on the Green Revolution and answer the following questions:

1. What is the Green Revolution?
2. When did the Green Revolution begin?
3. What are the impacts? Do remember that impacts does refer to the positives and negatives of an issue.

Activity Three - Jigsaw

As a group we are going to be developing a 'Green Revolution' jigsaw. To do this the group will be divided into four teams and will complete the following tasks:

1. Each team has 20 minutes to research one of the four elements of the Green Revolution
   • agricultural systems
   • scientific and technological innovations
   • the expansion of the area under agriculture
   • growth of agribusiness
2. Each team chooses one of their peers to be the 'expert'. The 'expert' will stay static (seated) and the rest of the team will rotate around the different groups. The expert from each team will inform the joining group about their section of the Green Revolution. The moving team will write down notes.
3. The rotation will continue until the original members of each team rejoin. Those students who have rotated then inform the expert about the other aspects of the Green Revolution.

Useful Links

• What is the Green Revolution?
• Green Revolution - Curse or Blessing?
• Scientific and technological innovations

Exam Style Question

Analyse two factors that have caused the increase in the availability of food. (2 x 3 marks)