Final answer:
True, since the 1960s, high-yield varieties of rice, corn, and wheat from the Green Revolution have prevented starvation for millions. Improved agricultural practices increased crop yields, and countries like India became self-sufficient in cereal grains. However, issues with food distribution still cause food insecurity, calling for better macroeconomic policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The claim that high-yield varieties of rice, corn, and wheat have kept millions from starving since the 1960s is true. The Green Revolution, which started in the 1940s in Mexico and spread internationally during the 1950s and 1960s, played a fundamental role in increasing crop yields. Through the introduction of high-response varieties of these essential crops, along with the expansion of irrigation and the use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides, agricultural productivity was greatly enhanced.
Notable figures such as Norman Borlaug spearheaded the development of these advanced crops, which significantly boosted production and self-sufficiency in heavily populated countries like India. For example, India, which once faced disastrous food shortages, became a net exporter of wheat due to improved yields facilitated by these innovations. The Green Revolution's lasting impact lies not only in preventing severe famines but also in conserving land by precluding the need to convert vast areas of wild lands into farmland.
However, despite the increased food production capabilities, the world still faces challenges with food distribution and food insecurity, often attributed to failures in government macroeconomic policies. Economists like Amartya Sen suggest that addressing these policy issues could further mitigate starvation and ensure a more equitable distribution of food resources.