Book Launch: The Green Revolution Narratives of Politics, Technology and Gender by Patrick Kilby

To be launched by Prof Margaret Jolly Convenor of the Gender Institute

Venue: The McDonald Room, the Menzies Library

Date: Wednesday, 3 April 2019. Time: 5 PM, with official proceedings commencing at 5:20pm.

Light refreshments will be served.

This book reviews what was known as the Green Revolution in agricultural research from the 1940s to the 1970s and the recurring theme of the forgotten women farmers in all of these processes, and that these technical advances were, and still remain, gender blind. This narrative is put in the context of what is referred to as a second Green Revolution in the 2000s, which focusses mainly on Africa.

Despite a significant proportion of farmers or principle cultivators being women they are generally left out of this research and its application on farms. There are two overarching themes the book develops that are central to this gendered narrative: the role of the state in supporting these programs, and how neoliberal-based ideology can hinder the state; and secondly, the almost religious zeal in the belief that technological advances can solve problems like global hunger. This story is rounded out with a discussion of Cold War politics and case studies from Mexico, India, and China.

Please RSVP to patrick.kilby@anu.edu.au by March 29 so that numbers can be ascertained for catering purposes.