From Dearth to Plenty - The Modern Revolution in Food Production

During the fifty-year period from 1936 to 1986 the modern agricultural revolution occurred, in which, for the first time, science was properly harnessed to the improvement in agricultural productivity. The authors quantify this improvement and identify the work of scientists which was seminal to the scientific and technological advances on which the revolution was founded. The topics covered include the advances in animal nutrition (in which the late Kenneth Blaxter was an acknowledged pioneer), animal and plant breeding, soil fertility, weed, pest and disease control, veterinary medicine, engineering (including innovations in tractor design by Harry Ferguson) and statistical measurement. In addition, this book describes how these innovations were integrated into the practical business of food production and discusses the importance of the Government in setting the scene for scientific advance.

List of contents

Preface; Acknowledgements; Part I. The Social, Economic and Political Context of Agricultural Change: 1. Revolutions of the past; 2. The modern revolution, its origins and accomplishments; Part II. The Science and Technology of the Modern Agricultural Revolution: 3. Problems of measurement; 4. Mechanisation; 5. Soils, fertilisers and water; 6. The control of weeds, pests and plant diseases; 7. Breeding more productive plants; 8. Integrations and innovations in crop husbandry; 9. Hunger in the midst of plenty; 10. Better and more productive animals; 11. Animal health and disease; 12. Integrations in animal husbandry; Part III. How did the Science-Based Revolution Happen, and What is the Way Forward as Support is Withdrawn?: 13. Science during the revolution; Glossary; Index.

Summary

An absorbing story of scientific discovery in agriculture from 1936–86 and its exploitation for technological advance is told in this 1995 book. It sets this against the financial and business constraints of the individual farmer and the industry as a whole.

Product details

• Authors: K. L. Blaxter, Kenneth Blaxter, Noel R. Robertson, Robertson Noel R.
• Publisher: Cambridge Academic
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 07.09.1995
• EAN: 9780521403221
• ISBN: 978-0-521-40322-1
• Dimensions: 152 mm x 229 mm x 19 mm
• Weight: 590 g
• Illustrations: 11 tables, Tabellen, nicht spezifiziert
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Biology > Agriculture, horticulture; forestry, fishing, food; Social sciences, law, business > Business > Individual industrial sectors, branches; TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING / Environmental / General, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Industries / Agribusiness, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Industries / Food Industry, 20th century, c 1900 to c 1999, United Kingdom, Great Britain, Agriculture and farming, AGRICULTURE & FARMING, Agriculture, agribusiness and food production industries, Agribusiness and primary industries