Which American agricultural scientist introduced specially bred crops to developing nations, spurring the Green Revolution?

Which American agricultural scientist introduced specially bred crops to developing nations, spurring the Green Revolution?

• A. Norman Borlaug
• B. George Washington Carver
• C. Luther Burbank
• D. Henry A. Wallace

Answer: (A)

High-yielding crop varieties and their spread to developing nations sparked the Green Revolution. Norman Borlaug developed and promoted high-yielding, disease-resistant dwarf wheat varieties and led international breeding programs that brought these crops to Mexico, India, Pakistan, and beyond. This work, paired with improved irrigation and fertilizer use, dramatically boosted agricultural yields and helped avert famines. The other figures contributed to agriculture in important ways—Carver worked on soil improvement and crop diversification, Burbank bred fruit varieties, and Wallace played a role in agricultural policy—but Borlaug’s breeding programs and their rapid adoption are what specifically propelled the Green Revolution forward.

High-yielding crop varieties and their spread to developing nations sparked the Green Revolution. Norman Borlaug developed and promoted high-yielding, disease-resistant dwarf wheat varieties and led international breeding programs that brought these crops to Mexico, India, Pakistan, and beyond. This work, paired with improved irrigation and fertilizer use, dramatically boosted agricultural yields and helped avert famines. The other figures contributed to agriculture in important ways—Carver worked on soil improvement and crop diversification, Burbank bred fruit varieties, and Wallace played a role in agricultural policy—but Borlaug’s breeding programs and their rapid adoption are what specifically propelled the Green Revolution forward.