Solving the Problem of Hunger

An examination of a Mexico-Indian history of Scientific Innovation
Aug 22, 2020

A talk by Gabriela Soto Lavega followed by a conversation with Jhanvi Phalkey.

In the mid-1960s concerns over population growth and the ability to feed a “hungry world” dominated global policy. The elimination of hunger via science, specifically agricultural science, was seen as a plausible solution. The global solution came to be known as the Green Revolution and it was pushed from Mexico, where it originated, across the globe. Only later would we come to understand that a single, global solution had significant environmental, social, and economic impacts, especially for already vulnerable populations. This tale of development aid, however, could have been a significantly different one.

This talk examines why it is important to study the histories of India and Mexico together to question why a solution such as the Green Revolution was not the adequate one for primarily agrarian nations. In particular it examines the life of Pandurang Khankhoje, an Indian native in Mexico, to further underline the importance of global histories that embrace both nations.

Part of PHYTOPIA in collaboration with Science Gallery Bengaluru.

[jayap]

Great to hear of names like PandurangKhankhoje... pre-independent india had some great men like him and Savarkar who could not live in their land of birth... Agriculture wise indians have done well across the world... punjabis in the US.. Mexico... Australia... amazing. Good conversation...