What was the Green Revolution?

The Green Revolution was a series of advances in agricultural technology and production around the world, with the most significant impact in previously less industrialized nations like India and Mexico. From the mid to late 20th century, agriculture was transformed on a global scale with changes in the methods of breeding plants and the increased use of fertilizers and pesticides to aid crop health. The Green Revolution had a significant impact on the state of world hunger and (under)nutrition, with high-yielding and sturdy varieties of staple crops like wheat, rice, and corn being introduced to developing nations.

There is a debate over whether the Green Revolution has increased food production to match global population growth, or if the Revolution is actually responsible for the significant population growth of the last half century. In addition, many people are concerned about the long-term environmental effects of the Green Revolution. While the crops which drove the Revolution have contributed to better food security for millions, it also requires a lot of chemicals to be used in farming. Some people are calling for a second wave of "revolution" which advocates for more sustainable agricultural practices without a drop in food production.