Responses may vary but should include some or all of the following information:
The word “green” in this context does not mean “environmentally friendly.” In fact, environmental repercussions were the primary objection to the much-needed advancements offered by the research that prompted the Green Revolution.
Hybridization often is considered one of the most important causes of the dramatic increase in global agricultural production in recent decades, and the hybridization of crops has prevented untold numbers of famines across the globe. Proponents suggest that hybridized seeds and crops are more drought-resistant, require less water, produce higher yields, are pest- and fungus-resistant, and require less growth time.
Opponents of hybridization suggest that crops utilize higher amounts of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which seep into the water supply and soil, leading to contamination and illness. Opponents suggest that the process did little to alleviate poverty, as small farmers could no longer compete with large, often corporate farms who could afford the expensive seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides required. With small farmers pushed toward bankruptcy, a few large farms took over the majority of food production. Finally, hybridization frequently is viewed as the most significant shift in agricultural practices, from a focus on production for local consumption to production for sales and export. This shifted the focus outside of the local community and onto financial gain.
