Published on 18 Feb 2025
The Green Revolution was a period of agricultural advancement characterized by a significant increase in crop yields, primarily of wheat and rice. This transformation was achieved through the introduction of high-yielding varieties of seeds, combined with the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and improved irrigation techniques.
The seeds of this agricultural revolution were planted in the 1940s when Norman Borlaug, an American scientist, developed dwarf wheat varieties using Norin-10 genes. Dr. M.S. Swaminathan was a pivotal figure in India, leading efforts to secure the nation's food supply through the adoption of these new agricultural practices.
India's Food Crisis Before the Green Revolution
Food Scarcity and Dependence
Famine and Loss of Life: The Bengal famine of 1943 highlighted the catastrophic consequences of food shortages, resulting in millions of deaths.
Colonial Legacy: India's agricultural system was disrupted by colonial policies, leading to a weak and inefficient agricultural sector.
Import Dependence: The country heavily relied on foreign wheat imports to feed its population, making it vulnerable to global food price fluctuations.
The Post-Independence Scenario
Continued Food Crisis: Despite independence, India grappled with persistent food shortages.
Food Aid Dependence: The government relied on food aid from the United States under the PL 480 program to meet the basic food needs of the population. This situation was characterized as a "ship-to-mouth" existence.
Stagnant Agricultural Growth: Agricultural production growth rate declined in the early 1960s due to factors such as dependence on rain-fed agriculture and low productivity.
The Path to Green Revolution
C. Subramaniam's Leadership: The appointment of C. Subramaniam as Food and Agriculture Minister marked a turning point in India's agricultural policy.
Two-Pronged Strategy: Subramaniam introduced a two-fold approach:
Price Incentives: Providing remunerative prices to farmers to encourage increased production.
Technological Intervention: Emphasizing the role of science and technology in improving agricultural practices.
Investment in Agriculture: The Fourth Five-Year Plan prioritized agriculture and agricultural research, allocating significant funds for development.
Impacts of Green Revolution
Positive Impacts
Increased Food Grain Production: India's wheat production surged from 10-12 million tonnes in the early 1960s to over 110 million tonnes today.
Example: Punjab's transformation into India's breadbasket, with yields tripling (300% increase) in a decade due to dwarf, high-yielding varieties.
Enhanced Productivity: Yield per hectare of food grains improved from 6.3 quintals in 1965-66 to 10.2 quintals in 1978-79.
Example: Coastal Andhra Pradesh doubled rice output through improved water management and HYVs.
Food Self-Sufficiency: India transformed from a food-deficient nation to a food exporter.
Example: India's shift from a net food importer to a major exporter, exemplified by the 2 million-ton wheat export in 1971.
Employment Generation in Agriculture: The 'seeds-fertilizer-irrigation' package created significant job opportunities in the agricultural sector.
Example: Punjab's tractor ownership surged, creating new employment opportunities for rural youth.
Employment Growth in Non-Farm Sectors: Increased demand for farm machinery, transportation, and marketing led to employment growth in rural non-farm activities.
Example: Amul's rapid growth in Gujarat, symbolizing the rise of rural non-farm sectors.
Increased Public and Private Investment: The share of mechanical and electrical power in agriculture rose from 39.4% in 1971-72 to 86.6% in 2005-06, reflecting increased investment.
Land Conservation: Higher crop yields reduced pressure on expanding agricultural land into forest areas.
Example: Reduced deforestation in the Western Ghats due to higher paddy yields.
Rural Economy Boost: Expanded demand for farm inputs and services led to increased income and employment for rural households.
Example: Punjab's doubled per capita income reflecting the overall uplift of rural India.
Negative Impact
Decline in Soil Fertility
Indiscriminate chemical use: Absence of reliable soil testing and advice led to overuse of harmful chemicals, degrading soil health.
Reduced organic matter: Decline in draught animals and shift in cropping patterns decreased the use of farm yard and green manure, essential for soil fertility.
Economic loss: As per the Working Group Report on ‘Natural Resource Management’ (2007), soil degradation during the 1980s and 1990s caused an estimated loss of 11-26% of GDP.
Loss of Biodiversity
Displacement of indigenous species: HYV seeds replaced traditional varieties, leading to genetic erosion and vulnerability.
Loss of valuable gene pools: The shift in agricultural systems threatened the diversity of crops and their genetic makeup.
Depletion of Groundwater Resources
Overexploitation: Exponential growth of tube wells, particularly in the Indo-Gangetic plains, rapidly depleted groundwater levels.
Unsustainable practices: Agricultural subsidies on inputs and lack of groundwater regulation exacerbated the issue.
Impact on Small and Marginal Farmers
Increased costs: Small farmers faced financial burdens due to the need for HYV seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, often borrowing at high interest rates.
Debt trap: The high input costs pushed many small farmers into a cycle of debt.
Over-capitalization in Agriculture
High investment: Modern farming equipment like tractors and pump sets required substantial investments.
Underutilization: Small landholdings often prevented efficient use of these machines.
Widening Disparities
Regional imbalance: Benefits were concentrated in areas with suitable irrigation and focused on a few crops like wheat, rice, and sugarcane.
Inequitable distribution: The Green Revolution widened the gap between developed and less developed agricultural regions.
Impact on Environment
Pollution: Excessive use of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides contaminated soil, water, and air.
Resource degradation: Intensive agriculture practices contributed to overall environmental degradation.
Geography
GREEN REVOLUTION
India's Food Crisis Before the Green Revolution
Contribution of M.S. Swaminathan
Impacts of Green Revolution
General Studies Paper 1
Resources Distribution
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