1. Explain: Industrial Revolution and Agrarian revolution always go together.
Industrial revolution and agricultural revolution always go together. The
magnificent industrial revolution would not have been possible without the agricultural
revolution that preceded it. If agriculture remained stagnant over the past years, then,
countries such as England, America, Japan, etc. would not be able to experience
industrial development.
During the pre-agrarian revolution era, agriculture sectors demand high
intensity of labor, thus during this period most of the workforce belonged to this sector.
Because of the difficulty of agricultural works during this period, it became necessary to
change and innovate the way they do agriculture; therefore, it marks the beginning of
Agrarian Revolution. The Agricultural revolution that began in the 18 th century in Britain
generated innovations and inventions that changes how farming process works, and
thus resulting to an increase in productivity and efficiency in the sector. These
improvements also generated capital and labor surplus—these surpluses are the result
of lower demand for labor and capital due to innovations—which were used as an
investment in the industrial sector. As the need for agricultural workers declined, many
people shifted to industrial jobs; thus, further fueling the Industrial Revolution.
Remember, trying to squeeze surplus from stagnant and inefficient agricultural
sector is deemed unsustainable because it will result in further stagnation and decay not
just only of the industrial sector but also of the entire economy.
2. Explain the concept of Green Revolution.
3. Why do peasant farmers resist innovation and modernization?
Despite of the probable increase in production capacity, income level, and standard of
living, many farmers are still reluctant to the changes brought by innovation and modernization.
Many economists view this “conservative” attitude of the farmers as irrational. However, this
irrational response of farmers seems to have justifiable explanations.
Most the farmers in the developing countries, especially those who are in the rural area,
are practicing subsistence farming—which means they grow food in order to sustain their
survival not for the purpose of trade. In rural areas, traditional farming systems define the role
individuals in the society. Father and sons usually prepare and cultivate the soil, while women in
the family usually help in planting seeds. As you can see, traditional farming defines the way of
life of many rural families; therefore, being open to the innovation and modernization means
being open to alteration and disruption of their normal individual roles and ways of life. Most
rural farmers resist to employ new production methods because they want to preserve their
traditions, farming patterns, and timing of usual task.
Aside from it, farmers, especially the subsistence farmers, are reluctant to technological
changes because of the possible uncertainty accompanied to it. Subsistence farmers view the
failure the new technology or new seed variation as a huge disaster. Failure means having two
or one meal instead of three a day. It also means that there were no seeds that can be used for
the next farming season and it could even result to further damages on their operations and
their lives. It is apparent that for subsistence farmers, who rely on farming not for income but
for survival, possible failures of the innovation are a real threat of starvation and suffering for
their families. For these reasons, they became resistant to change, unless otherwise, farmers
could see that it has worked with the other farms in their locality, that is only time that he will
be convinced that it is worth the change.
