809 



creased dynamism * * *." ^' All these comments add up to one con- 

 clusion : That the diplomatic, economic, political, social, and adminis- 

 trative aspects of the Green Revolution lag behind the technological 

 aspects, ^nd that the problem of orderly agricultural development on 

 a balanced, global basis is far from being solved. 

 ConfllcUng Agricultural Plans and Programs 



On the one hand it is asserted (by Boerma, for example) that "too 

 little attention is paid to agriculture." Industry has been given priority 

 in the allocation of scarce financial resources. On the other hand, it is 

 suggested that insufficient emphasis on urban industrial opportunity 

 will result in hardship for those released from the new, highly pro- 

 ductive agriculture, (Even this conclusion is controversial, in view of 

 the belief held by some analysts that the Green Revolution will cause 

 an increase in agricultural employment. See pages 20-21.) 



Boerma calls for more liberal trade policies toward the developing 

 w6rld, a global balance of agricultural supply and demand, more and 

 better international commodity agreements — hopefully combined into 

 an integrated scheme for international commodity control — and agree- 

 ment on guidelines for national agricultural policy as well as on pro- 

 cedures for reviewing their strict application. 



One related issue concerns the rate at which the Green Revolution 

 should be pressed. Various observers have pointed out that dissatisfac- 

 tions and tensions are likely to accompany the Green Revolution in 

 the LDCs, and that if it proceeds rapidly the tensions will be the more 

 severe to the point where actual conflict and revolutionary activity may 

 occun • 



Another issue may be that well-intentioned diplomats and scientists 

 are urging a faster pace of acceptance of new agricultural technology 

 than is warranted by the technology itself. For example, Dr. Borlaug, 

 in describing his program in Mexico, advocated that exploitation be- 

 gin immediately of the "better" without waiting for the "best." 



In Mexico [wrote Dr. Borlaug], as soon as significant improvements were 

 made by research, whether in varieties, fertilizer recommendations, or cultural 

 practices, they were taken to farms and incorporated into the production pro- 

 grams. We never waited for perfection in varieties or methods but used the best 

 available each year and modified them as further improvements came to hand.** 



Yet elsewhere in his report. Dr. Borlaug noted that a variety [IRS] 

 of rice introduced into monsoon areas of India and East Pakistan was 

 not well adapted to climatic conditions there and had had only a 

 "modest and occasional impact." 



Dr. Borlaug has also appealed for "the will and commitment of gov- 

 ernments to support national production campaigns." It seems evident 

 that when national or even international mobilization of a vigorous 

 administrative and political effort is required, careful attention should 

 be given to the question of whether the technology is sufficiently per- 

 fected and properly adapted to local conditions before it is appHed. 



«* Boerma. "Address to the Eighteenth General Conference of tlie International Federa- 

 tion of Agricultural Producers . . ." op. clt., pages 14—15. 



"" Xorman E. Borlaug. "The Green Revolution . . .," op. cit.. Page 44. 



