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[LETTERS to the editor]Herald the second Green Revolution

Published: 25 May. 2008, 22:03

The grain crisis recently hit all over the world. Some countries, including Korea, have been struggling against the recent hikes in grain prices. However, we overcame this sort of crisis in the past. Actually, we realized the “Green Revolution” in the 1970s.

In the 1960s, average rice production was 3.64 million tons. With the diffusion of new breeds of rice, production in 1977 went up to 5.96 million tons. At that time, the Korean government constantly spent its time and money realizing agricultural improvements, while scientists at the Agricultural Research Department continued to try to develop new products.

Thirty years later, in 2008, we face another grain crisis. We need to act to improve responses to the grain crisis, leading to the second Green Revolution.

To make it happen, here are some suggestions. First, the Korean government should invest in long-term agricultural research and development. In addition, the government needs to recruit professionals who are able to contribute to improving and developing agriculture. The government also has to develop environmentally-friendly agricultural goods.

The whole world now faces a grain crisis. We should make a new start as soon as possible to achieve a second Green Revolution.

In other words, based on the lessons of the past, we have to be prepared for the current grain crisis.

Chung Young-il, an honorary professor at Seoul National University