The new green revolution: Sustainable agriculture for the Caribbean through the use of renewable energy

Abstract

The Green Revolution, which occurred from the 1940s to the late 1970s, saw a major boom in the Agriculture sector in many parts of the world. It was based on the introduction of chemical fertilisers and superior varieties, irrigation improvement and agricultural extension programmes. This led to a dramatic increase in wheat yields and world coarse grain production. Following this, for numerous reasons, many of which were social and economic, there was a major decline in agricultural production. The main objective of this paper is to explore and propose new ways of stimulating growth in agriculture by the introduction of the “New Green Revolution”, through the use of green technologies. Different forms of renewable energy, such as solar, wind and biomass, are proposed to have greater penetration in the agriculture sector, thereby stimulating growth, creating a new revolution in agriculture.