A. Development & Diffusion of Agriculture:
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Three agricultural revolutions:
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1.
Neolithic Revolution (12,000 yrs ago): first plant & animal domestication
The role of women?
- female deities
- women were first to farm
~80% of all food eaten in Africa is grown by women

2.
Second Revolution (I7th-I8th centuries): improved methods of cultivation & higher yields in W. Europe
- improved tools & equipment
- better soil preparation, fertilization, & food storage
- aided by the Industrial Revolution & mechanization

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2 (continued). Second Agricultural
Revolution from late Middle Ages into Industrial Age
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open fields enclosed by fences
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use of crop rotation seeds & breeding stock improved tools improved: use of the “heavy” plow horses replaced oxen for plowing

3.
The Green Revolution (1940’s-1980’s): research & technology in plant genetics to create new higher-yielding grains
- intensive farming practices: mechanization, chemicals, biotechnology
- using genetic engineering scientists in Philippines crossed a dwarf variety of rice with an Indonesian variety…“IR8”
- in India Norin 10 strain of wheat developed
- today, pest resistance genetically infused into DNA of plants

 1943: world's worst recorded food disaster in India
- Bengal Famine: four million died of hunger
 “Green Revolution’s” highest crop yields: 1967 to 1978
 term “Green Revolution” a general one applied to successful agricultural experiments in developing countries (India,
Mexico, China)

“Father” of the Green Revolution https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lbjHWoDI
Rw

 Northern India
 Sri Lanka
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Nepal
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Indonesia
 Thailand
 Philippines

1) expansion of farming areas
2) double-cropping
3) genetically engineering crops
4) machinery, fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides
 Other benefits:
- higher yields of wheat, corn, & rice
- improved appearance of fruits
- grains used to fatten livestock faster… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eUKj8sOyq8

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destroyed large tracts overuse of chemicals excessive salinity groundwater depletion conflicts over water some cannot afford investment rural societies disrupted effects of genetic modifications? effects of cloning? http://abcnews.go.com/Archives/video/feb-24-1997-dollysheep-10615268 http://on.cc.com/1qT8Vki
The bees! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zgc5w-xyQa0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWbUplDgSNM

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World crops: Wheat, Rice, Corn
Africa’s most important crops: millet & sorghum
Lack of government investment
Failure to include women