A study published in November 2023 by a team of scientists from various Indian institutions showed that while the Green Revolution increased wheat and rice production in India, it significantly compromised the nutritional value of these foods and increased the concentration of toxic elements. The analysis revealed that genetic improvement programs focused solely on yield, substantially reducing essential micronutrients like zinc and iron, and increasing arsenic levels in rice. This nutritional loss may contribute to the rise of non-communicable diseases in India. The study suggests using wild relatives of crops to enhance nutritional value.

Specifically, between 2018 and 2020, researchers cultivated 16 varieties of rice and 18 of wheat with high yields from the Green Revolution period, finding that these crops lost up to 45% of their nutritional value, with significant decreases in zinc and iron content. Additi...