Green Revolution

Syllabus: Agriculture

Source:  DTE

 Context: The term ‘Green Revolution’, coined 57 years ago, transformed global agriculture and secured India’s food self-sufficiency.

What is the Green Revolution?

• A scientific and policy-driven agricultural movement launched in the 1960s to increase food production through High-Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds, mechanization, and chemical inputs.
• Coined by: William S. Gaud in 1968.
• India’s Architect: M.S. Swaminathan (Father of the Green Revolution).
• Supported by: Chidambaram Subramaniam (then Food and Agriculture Minister).

Need for the Green Revolution in India:

• Food Insecurity: Post-independence India faced severe food shortages and relied on imports under PL-480 from the U.S.
• Bengal Famine Legacy: The 1943 famine exposed India’s vulnerability to crop failures.
• Growing Population: Rising food demand required a sustainable increase in production.
• Economic Stability: Reducing dependency on imports was crucial for national security and economic sovereignty.

Green Revolution Transformed Indian Agriculture:

• Increase in Food Production: Wheat output rose from 12 million tonnes (1965) to 110 million tonnes (2023), and rice from 35 million tonnes (1960) to 138 million tonnes.
• Introduction of HYV Seeds: Boosted wheat and rice yields in Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh.
• Irrigation Expansion: Major projects like Bhakra-Nangal Dam ensured year-round farming.
• Farm Mechanization: Increased use of tractors, harvesters, and tube wells improved efficiency.
• Minimum Support Price (MSP): Assured income security for farmers and promoted market stability.
• Institutional Credit: NABARD and cooperative banks replaced exploitative moneylenders, facilitating farm investments.

Unintended Consequences of the Green Revolution:

• Groundwater Depletion: Excessive irrigation led to 80% of Punjab’s water units being overexploited (CGWB, 2023).
• Soil Degradation: Overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides reduced soil fertility.
• Regional Disparities: Benefited irrigated states (Punjab, Haryana) while rain-fed regions (e.g., eastern India) lagged behind.
• Debt & Farmer Suicides: Small farmers struggled with rising costs, leading to financial distress.
• Biodiversity Loss: Monoculture of wheat and rice reduced crop diversity, making agriculture less resilient.

Way Ahead: Sustainable Agricultural Reforms

• Second Green Revolution (GR 2.0): Focus on sustainable farming, crop diversification, and climate resilience.
• Efficient Water Management: Promote micro-irrigation, rainwater harvesting, and solar-powered irrigation.
• Organic & Natural Farming: Encourage zero-budget natural farming (ZBNF) to reduce chemical dependency.
• Income Support for Farmers: Strengthen crop insurance (PMFBY), MSP reforms, and direct income transfers.
• Agroforestry & Renewable Energy: Integrate agrivoltaics and inland aquaculture to increase farm incomes.

Conclusion:

India’s Green Revolution ensured food security but came at a high environmental and social cost. A balanced approach integrating sustainability, farmer welfare, and technological advancements is needed to secure India’s agricultural future while protecting its natural resources.

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