Which of the following is a common critique of Green Revolution technologies?

• A. Inequality in benefits and dependence on a few firms
• B. Universal improvement of soil health
• C. Decreased crop yields
• D. Reduced irrigation needs

Answer: (A)

This item tests understanding of a key critique of the Green Revolution: who benefits and how those benefits are distributed. The technologies—high-yield variety seeds, chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and expanded irrigation—were mostly adopted by farmers who could afford the inputs and access credit. That often meant larger landholders or those with better resources, while many smallholders faced higher costs and greater financial risk. As a result, the gains in production did not benefit all farmers equally, and farmers became more dependent on a small number of firms that supply seeds and inputs. This combination—uneven benefits and reliance on a few firms for essential supplies—is the central critique.

The other options don’t fit as well. Universal improvement of soil health isn’t typically claimed, since intensive input use can harm soil biodiversity and structure. Decreased crop yields did not characterize the global impact of the Green Revolution, which in many places raised yields. Reduced irrigation needs contradict the reality that provisioning of irrigation was a key part of the strategy, and water use often increased to sustain higher production.