During the Green Revolution countries all over Asia, Africa, and South America dramatically increased their yields of wheat and rice. In India this increase meant that fifty percent more rice and wheat was being produced in the 1980s when compared to the 1960s. This is a massive increase in the two staple crops that provide nutrition for the majority of the Indian population, and a large portion of the world’s population.

GMOs (genetically modified organisms) are any organisms whose genetic makeup has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.

Norman Borlaug is considered to be the "Father of the Green Revolution". He led several initiatives that got this Revolution up and running as well as received the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts. He is credited with saving billions from starvation as well as modernizing agriculture techniques and technology.

The majority of the initiatives were carried out between 1930-1960 and actual changes in the agricultural process occurred during the late 1960's. During this time period, research, development and technology related to agriculture was reformed leading to the Green Revolution. In fact, the first time the Green Revolution was referred to by this name was in 1968.

Historically, Mexico, India and Brazil were part of the growth of the Green Revolution. The Green Revolution in addition with the Mexican Revolution are credited for transforming Mexico. India was very close to a mass famine when Norman Borlaug came to the country and assisted them with their Green Revolution. Brazil's soil was transformed by Borlaug and now is a leading exporter of beef, poultry and soybeans. 

Food, health and environmental safety are all leading concerns of critics of the Green revolution. In regards to food safety, critics were concerned about starvation as well as the actual quality of one's diet. In regards to health safety, critics were concerned about the ingesting of pesticides that may lead to cancer. The final concern was surrounding environmental safety where criticisms centered using non-renewable resources and greenhouse gas emissions.

Since the late nineteenth century, agricultural production has come to rely increasingly on mechanized means of production and farm equipment. This has greatly shifted the way crops are grown, with more cash crops grown in large monoculture plots by large corporations. Most significantly, all of these changes mean that fewer and fewer farm laborers are needed to grow the same amount of crops.

Quaternary economic activity refers mostly to information on market trends and the trade of goods. An economic consultant who recommends purchases for large companies best fits this definition.

Quinary economic activity is defined as research and higher education. Developing seeds at a public land grant college best fits this definition, because research is being applied to increase economic activity in another sector.

Tertiary economic activity is the act of serving as an intermediary between producers and consumers to facilitate trade. Finding buyers for fair trade coffee and initiating the trade between them and consumers for a cut of the profit best fits this definition.