Reporter Bruce Gellerman of member station WBUR in Boston visits the Mexican wheat fields of Norman Borlaug, known as “the Father of the Green Revolution.” Borlaug’s revolutionary approach to plant breeding and high-intensity agriculture helped to feed the world as the population doubled over the past 30 years, and won him the Nobel Peace Prize. Now semi-retired, Borlaug reflects on his accomplishments and on the challenge of squeezing still more food out of the earth as its population doubles again.
The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!