Policy Dialogue discusses impact of Green Revolution on sustainable development

The Green revolution of the 1970s and 1980s increased agricultural productivity with the introduction of high yielding varieties, improved irrigation, intensified use of agrochemicals and supportive government policies. While helping avoid large-scale hunger in the Asia-Pacific region, it resulted in land and biodiversity degradation with agricultural productivity growth declining. The use of chemicals also adversely affected the health of farmers and consumers while small and marginal farmers were unable to take advantage of the gains of the Green Revolution.

The impact of Green Revolution technologies in promoting sustainable development was the topic of the panel discussion “Has the Green Revolution been a boon or a bane for sustainable development?” held on the first day of the 10-11 February Third SATNET Policy Dialogue “Role of Technology Transfer in Agriculture for Sustainable Development Outcomes”. The five panelists included Dr. Iftikar Ahmad, Chairman, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Mr. Muhammad Zeshan Saqib, Director Quality Assurance and Traceability System, Star Farm Pakistan (Pvt.) Limited,  Ms. Ranny Mutiara Chaidirsyah, Head of Farming Institution Empowerment Division, Agency for Agricultural Extension and Human Resources Development (AAEHRD), Ministry of Agriculture, Indonesia, Dr. Kong Thong, Dean, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Royal University of Agriculture, Cambodia and Mr. Shimpei Murakami, Chairperson, Asian Farmers Association (Japan/Philippines). The panel was moderated by Dr. Raghunath Godake, Executive Secretary, Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI).

Benefits of Green Revolution technology

Panelists agreed that agricultural technology transfer since the Green Revolution had made a significant contribution to agricultural development, making it possible to address the challenges of food insecurity today. However, the problem has been in the dissemination of the knowledge to farmers.

Mr. Saqib pointed out that agricultural technology has negative impact when farmers lack knowledge of proper use of the technology as a result of the lack of protocols for using this knowledge. Dr. Thong agreed and added that this results in farmers facing acceptance issues during technology transfer.

Another issue is that the technology model that has been followed since the Green Revolution comes from development economists. Dr. Ahmad offered an alternative perspective on how Green Revolution technology transfer mechanisms were actually designed from the bottom up and not based on Western models.

Mr. Murakami argued that farmers understand nature and have knowledge and experience to make food systems sustainable. However, they listen to extension workers and depend on external technologies, such as fertilizer and seeds, which diminishes their confidence in their ability to control their natural resources. The problem, therefore, lies in a lack of real scientific knowledge, he added. As a consequence, technology creates ecological degradation and is not sustainable.

Ms. Chaidirsyah pointed out that Indonesia realized that Green Revolution technologies alone would not be sufficient to make the country self-sufficient in rice and shifted from technology transfer for rice intensification, to improving research-extension linkages and bringing research institutions together with extension workers. It is crucial to educate and empower farmers to verify suitable agricultural technologies, while encouraging local extension and research institutions to adapt to local conditions, improve their approach and build farmers’ confidence in technology, she added. 

More technologies or improved processes?

In discussing whether better technologies or better technology transfer processes were more important, the panelists agreed that improved processes, models and policies can be very effective. Mr. Ahmad emphasized that if government policies are not supportive of smallholders, farmers will be helpless. Policy, therefore, has to be pro-poor for technology transfer to be effective.

Lessons learned

The panelists also reflected on issues that governments, civil society and the private sector should keep in mind to ensure that technology transfer promotes sustainable development. Firstly, multinationals should accept that developing countries where they invest have their own traditional knowledge and understanding of sustainable development. As such, private stakeholders should provide stewardship. On the other hand, civil society has to help guide government policy in the right direction.

The panelists agreed that the Post-2015 development agenda offers an opportunity for better technology transfer by bringing the Asia-Pacific region together to share national strengths and knowledge on sustainable agricultural development. 

Reporter: Martina Spisiakova, Knowledge Management Consultant, CAPSA