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Lessons from the old Green Revolution for the new: Social, environmental and nutritional issues for agricultural change in Africa

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  • Rachel Bezner Kerr

Abstract

Recent efforts for an ‘Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa’ (AGRA) promote fertilizer, hybrid seeds, pesticides and biotechnology to increase agricultural production. This article examines the original Green Revolution to understand potential effects of a recent promotion of related technologies in Africa. Using a case study of Malawi, the implications of promoting high-input, intensive agriculture on food security, social relations and nutrition are considered. I argue that unless social inequalities and environmental concerns are taken into account, these technologies will intensify inequalities, increase environmental degradation and exacerbate malnutrition for the rural majority, while benefitting the urban poor, larger-scale farmers, agro-input dealers and transnational corporations involved in agribusiness.

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  • Rachel Bezner Kerr, 2012. "Lessons from the old Green Revolution for the new: Social, environmental and nutritional issues for agricultural change in Africa," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 12(2-3), pages 213-229, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:prodev:v:12:y:2012:i:2-3:p:213-229
    DOI: 10.1177/146499341101200308
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    6. Klara Fischer & Camilla Eriksson, 2016. "Social Science Studies on European and African Agriculture Compared: Bringing Together Different Strands of Academic Debate on GM Crops," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-17, August.
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