Beyond the green revolution     New farming methods Government's role FAO's Special Programme aims at increasing food production in higher-potential areas in LIFDC countries. Farmers can benefit from access to the remarkable advances in agricultural science that the world has seen during the last 30 years. These advances include: the use of improved genetic materal for crops and animals better farming practices including increased use of inorganic and organic fertilizers to improve soil fertility integrated pest management to reduce yield losses in ways less harmful to the environment than past chemical controls improved use of irrigation water to optimize water use and minimize risk of salinization and waterlogging appropriate mechanization to reduce labour shortages during critical periods in the cropping season. Many of these methods were introduced into wheat, rice and maize production during the 1960s as part of the green revolution and have been tested and accepted by millions of farmers - small and large - worldwide. Their contribution to household, national and global food security has been immense and major famines have been averted in Asia due to green revolution technologies. And by intensifying production on existing croplands, large tracts of wilderness have been spared from agricultural encroachment in Africa, Asia and Latin America. But technologies alone are not enough. There must be political, social and economic environments that encourage farmers to adopt improved practices and support their efforts to employ them in a sustainable way. The Special Programme identifies the constraints to improved farming, whether physical, biological, economic or social. It challenges governments in developing and industrialized countries alike to give farmers a fair chance to benefit from the valuable global pool of improved farming skills and knowledge.