2.1 The History of AgricultureWeek 2: How Will We Increase Plant and Animal Production?
  • 2.1.1 The Role of Science in Modern Agriculture

    • 2.1.1 The Role of Science in Modern Agriculture

    The Industrial Revolution marked a significant turning point in agricultural history, bringing mechanization and scientific advancements that transformed farming practices. The introduction of tractors, combine harvesters, and synthetic fertilizers drastically increased productivity and efficiency. These innovations reduced the reliance on manual labor and allowed for the cultivation of larger areas of land.

    Horse drawn plow, UA Archives | Upper Arlington History, No restrictions, via WikimediaCommons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Charlie_Holt_with_Horse_Drawn_Mower_in_Miller_Park,_1918_(4402637956).jpg 
    A tractor on a large field,  Photo from Pixabay under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication license https://web.archive.org/web/20161229043156/https://pixabay.com/en/service/terms/ Source: https://picryl.com/media/agriculture-field-of-rapeseeds-field-371842  

    In the 20th century, the Green Revolution further revolutionized agriculture with the development of high-yielding crop varieties, improved irrigation techniques, and the widespread use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers. These advancements led to dramatic increases in crop production, particularly in developing countries, helping to alleviate hunger and poverty.

     

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