During the past three years spectacular progress has been made in increasing wheat, rice, and maize production in several of the most populous developing countries of southern Asia, where widespread famine appeared inevitable only five years ago
For, behind the scenes, halfway around the world in Mexico, were two decades of aggressive research on wheat that not only enabled Mexico to become self-sufficient with respect to wheat production but also paved the way to rapid increase in its production in other countries.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the significant impact of agricultural research on global wheat production, particularly in Mexico.
Norman Borlaug highlights the importance of dedicated research in agriculture, specifically in the field of wheat, which allowed Mexico to achieve self-sufficiency in its production. This advancement not only benefitted Mexico but also served as a model for increasing wheat production in other countries, illustrating how scientific innovation can address food security issues worldwide.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about food security, one might say, 'As Norman Borlaug stated, the research on wheat in Mexico shows how we can achieve agricultural independence.'
More from Norman Borlaug
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