Which initiative is recognized for dramatically increasing agricultural output in parts of Asia and Latin America in the mid-20th century?

Which initiative is recognized for dramatically increasing agricultural output in parts of Asia and Latin America in the mid-20th century?

• A. Blue Revolution
• B. Industrial Revolution
• C. Second Agricultural Revolution
• D. Green Revolution

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is recognizing a specific global push in the mid-20th century that used science and technology to dramatically boost crop production in developing regions. The Green Revolution did just that by pairing high-yielding varieties of staple crops—especially rice and wheat—with other modern inputs and practices. These included expanded irrigation, synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, improved seeds, and better farming techniques supported by extension services and credit. The result in many parts of Asia and Latin America was a sharp rise in yields per acre and total food output, helping to avert famines and transform food security in those regions. This initiative is tightly linked to efforts led by groups like CIMMYT and IRRI and figures such as Norman Borlaug, who demonstrated how science could rapidly scale agricultural gains across large areas. Other options point to different times or domains. The Industrial Revolution and the Second Agricultural Revolution were earlier developments in Europe focused more on mechanization and landholding changes than the widespread, technology-driven crop yields seen mid-century. The Blue Revolution refers to advances in fish farming, not crop agriculture.

The main idea here is recognizing a specific global push in the mid-20th century that used science and technology to dramatically boost crop production in developing regions. The Green Revolution did just that by pairing high-yielding varieties of staple crops—especially rice and wheat—with other modern inputs and practices. These included expanded irrigation, synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, improved seeds, and better farming techniques supported by extension services and credit. The result in many parts of Asia and Latin America was a sharp rise in yields per acre and total food output, helping to avert famines and transform food security in those regions. This initiative is tightly linked to efforts led by groups like CIMMYT and IRRI and figures such as Norman Borlaug, who demonstrated how science could rapidly scale agricultural gains across large areas.

Other options point to different times or domains. The Industrial Revolution and the Second Agricultural Revolution were earlier developments in Europe focused more on mechanization and landholding changes than the widespread, technology-driven crop yields seen mid-century. The Blue Revolution refers to advances in fish farming, not crop agriculture.