Abstract

BLANCO VILLACORTA, Medardo Wilfredo. The green revolution: myths and truths in the case of Bolivia. Apthapi [online]. 2021, vol.7, n.1, pp. 2213-2218. ISSN 0102-0304.

ABSTRACT: The green revolution, according to many authors, was an appropriate technology to increase food production worldwide, it was seen that population growth was not at the same rate as food production, which would cause a strong crisis due to food shortages globally, were some of the justificationsfor its promotion. However, for the implementation of the technology, many requirements had to be met, such as access to capital, large areas of land, and production aimed at monoculture and agro-industrial food production. Over time, it became evident that large multinational companies that owned agricultural inputs, agro-industrial food exporters, benefited. This meant for small producers and rural workers, miserable salaries, unemployment, migration, increased debts for obtaining inputs which led to an increase in rural poverty. On the other hand, the indiscriminate use of fertilizers and pesticides favored the contamination of soil and water that, together with deforestation, caused serious damage tothe environment. Also, negative effects on the health of producers and consumers are reported due to exposure to agrochemicals and food contamination. Given these harmful effects on the environment, health and the economy of small producers, it is proposed to change the production matrix towards a more friendly and sustainable practice over time, such as agroecology.

Keywords : Green revolution; pesticides; agroecology.