The Doubly Green Revolution: Food for All in the Twenty-First Century

by Gordon Conway

Today more than three quarters of a billion people go hungry in a world where food is plentiful. A distinguished scientist here sets out an agenda for addressing this situation. Initially published in 1997 in the United Kingdom, the book is now available in the first edition produced for the Western hemisphere. In it, the author has updated information to reflect current economic indicators. This volume includes a foreword written for the previous edition by Ismail Serageldin of the World Bank. The original Green Revolution produced new technologies for farmers, creating food abundance. A second transformation of agriculture is now required―specifically, Gordon Conway argues, a "doubly green" revolution that stresses conservation as well as productivity. He calls for researchers and farmers to forge genuine partnerships in an effort to design better plants and animals. He also urges them to develop (or rediscover) alternatives to inorganic fertilizers and pesticides, improve soil and water management, and enhance earning opportunities for the poor, especially women.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1999

Reviews

[Mitch Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit wonkish, but an interesting review of the state of industrial agriculture around the world and the near term challenges. Conway makes the case that increasing yield and nutritional density of corn, rice, wheat and soy is the principle hope for feeding the 21st century world. We are riding several trends right now which could crash without some type of intervention: population growth drives increasing food demand while food production is stressed by population growth (land competition, water resources) and environmental factors (climate change and soil depletion). Scaling the food system has led to a focus on cereal products (rice, corn & wheat) and soy because they can be easily stored for long periods and are suitable to food engineering and processing techniques.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well this is the last book my new boss wrote..so was reading it for work. Was pretty good - lots of it is out of date now though. Learned some interesting things about the development of sustainable agriculture..and Gordon's life. ;)