Final answer:
Norman Borlaug initiated the Green Revolution, which increased food production through agricultural advancements, including developing high-yield crops like dwarf wheat. This contributed greatly to reducing potential famines in developing countries, notably India. However, the Green Revolution is also a subject of critique due to the ecological and social ramifications of its methods.
Step-by-step explanation:
Norman Borlaug is credited with starting the Green Revolution, a series of technological advances in food production that saved millions from famine and disease. Borlaug, an Iowa native and plant researcher, developed a disease-resistant strain of dwarf wheat that substantially increased worldwide grain yields, particularly in developing countries struggling with high population growth and the threat of famine. His contribution to agriculture was paramount in India's transition from a food-importing nation to a net exporter of wheat, thus enhancing food security and economic stability in the region. The Green Revolution involved not only improved wheat but also extensive use of fertilizers, irrigation, and farm machinery. Despite its success in boosting food production, it faced criticism for promoting large-scale, capital-intensive farming and for the negative effects associated with agricultural intensification.