Green Revolution in Detail
Throughout the history of human life, many revolutions have come to change and improve our quality of living. The dictionary meaning of green revolution is the use of methods and tools like fertilizers, pesticides, high-yielding varieties of crops in developing countries to dramatically increase the production of crops like rice, wheat, etc. Green revolution calls for the use of better management techniques as well.
In industrialized countries, the green revolution means a steep rise in environmental concerns.
Introduction of Green Revolution
The green revolution was started in many countries around the world between the 1950s till the late 1960s. Many research technology transfer initiatives occurred around the world, which were geared towards increasing agricultural production.
Norman Borlaug is called the father of the green revolution as he started the green revolution with his genetic testing. He created a hybrid wheat plant that could resist fungus and diseases along with a high yield.
The green revolution in India refers to a period (the mid-1960s) where the transition from traditional agriculture into an industrial system happened. The green revolution started in India with the introduction of many modern methods of farming like tractors, pesticides, fertilizers, irrigation facilities, and the use of HYV (high yielding variety) crops.
When did the Green Revolution Start in India?
The Green revolution started in India started with its introduction in Punjab in 1966. It was part of a development program that was issued by the government of India along with international donor agencies.
Who Introduced the Green Revolution in India?
As a part of the larger initiative by Norman Borlaug, M S Swaminathan founded the Green revolution in India. Mankombu Swaminathan (born on the 7th August 1925) is an Indian geneticist and the founder of the M S Swaminathan research foundation which aims at eradicating hunger and poverty from the world. M S Swaminathan was the one to introduce and develop high-yielding varieties of wheat in India.
History of Green Revolution in India
Ford foundation sponsored a team of experts that were invited by India in the latter half of the second five-year plan. This team was called to suggest means and ways for improving crop production. Based on the recommendations of this team, the government of India implemented an intensive program for agricultural development in seven districts from seven different states of India in 1960. This program was called IADP (Intensive area development program).
In the mid-1960s Professor Norman Borlaug of Mexico developed new varieties of high-yielding wheat. India adopted this new agricultural strategy in 1966 during the Kharif season, and it was termed as HYVP (High-yielding varieties program). This program started as a package as it depended heavily on many things like:
Adequate irrigation.
Fertilizers.
HYV seeds.
Pesticides and insecticides.
Beneficial Impact of Green Revolution in India
India’s economy and way of life changed in a big way due to the Green revolution. One can gauge the major changes from the points outlined below:
Agricultural Production Increased:
The wheat crops got maximum benefit from the green revolution in India. Between 1967-68 the production of wheat crops grew more than three times. There was also an overall increase in agricultural produce, especially food grains. The green revolution was then aimed at the grain revolution after 1967. The overall increase in cereal production was doubled.
Farmers Fared Well:
It brought prosperity to farmers as increased crop production gave them more earnings. Farmers with more than 10 hectares of land benefitted the most from the green revolution.
Import of Food Grains Decreased:
The humongous production of foodgrains in India helped in reducing the amount of food grains that were imported earlier. India became self-sufficient in food grains and was at times, also in a position to export the grains. In 1950 the per capita availability of food grains was only 395 grams per day which grew to 436 grams by 2003. The anxiety of food shortage took away the burden from planners so that they could concentrate on other Indian planning.
Industrial Growth:
Since the green revolution involved a lot of machines, the demand for machinery like tractors, threshers, diesel engines, harvesters, pumping sets, combines, electric motors, etc. increased manifold. It also increased the need for pesticides, weedicides, fertilizers, insecticides, etc., which gave an industrial boom to various sectors. Many of the agricultural products were also being used as raw materials in many industries which were agro-based like textile, vanaspati, sugar, etc., which received benefits with the green revolution.
Increase in Rural Employment:
Though the green revolution brought a fear of unemployment since much of the human work was now being done by machines. There was a surge in demand for labour force due to the use of fertilizers and multiple cropping. As per reports, more than 15 lakhs poor people from states like Bihar, Orissa, and Uttar Pradesh found work in Punjab when the green revolutions started. Apart from earning, these poor people from different states also learned new techniques and ideas to take back home and implement.
Conclusion
The Green Revolution was a tremendous success for many developing countries, particularly India, providing them with unparalleled national food security.
It signified the successful adaptation and transfer of the same agricultural scientific revolution that the industrial countries had already appropriated.
However, factors other than guaranteeing food security, such as the environment, poor farmers, and their education about chemical know-how, received less attention.
As a way forward, authorities must more clearly target the poor to guarantee that new technologies help them more directly, and those technologies must also be more environmentally friendly.
Taking lessons from the past, such programs must also ensure that all beneficiaries are included, as well as all regions, rather than focusing on a narrow field.
FAQs on Green Revolution: Achievements and Challenges in India
1. What exactly was the Green Revolution in India?
The Green Revolution was a period of significant agricultural transformation in India that began in the mid-1960s. It involved the introduction of modern farming methods and technologies, such as High-Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilisers, pesticides, and improved irrigation facilities. The primary goal was to increase agricultural production, especially of food grains like wheat and rice, to overcome chronic food shortages and make India self-sufficient in food.
2. What were the main achievements of the Green Revolution in India?
The Green Revolution led to several remarkable achievements that transformed the Indian agricultural sector. The most significant ones include:
Increased Food Grain Production: It drastically boosted the production of cereals, especially wheat and rice, turning India from a food-deficient country into a self-sufficient one.
Buffer Stock Creation: The surplus production enabled the government to create a buffer stock of food grains, which could be used during times of food scarcity or calamities.
Benefits to Farmers: Farmers who adopted the new technology saw a substantial increase in their income, which helped improve their economic condition.
Reduced Imports: India's dependency on food grain imports significantly decreased, saving valuable foreign exchange.
3. What were the key components and technologies that powered the Green Revolution?
The success of the Green Revolution was driven by a package of technological and institutional measures. The key components were:
High-Yielding Variety (HYV) Seeds: These were genetically modified seeds that could produce much higher quantities of grain per acre.
Chemical Fertilisers and Pesticides: The use of chemical inputs was essential to provide adequate nutrients to the HYV crops and protect them from pests and diseases.
Irrigation Facilities: The new seeds required a regular and adequate supply of water, leading to the expansion of irrigation systems like tube wells and canals.
Farm Mechanisation: The use of machinery like tractors, threshers, and harvesters increased to facilitate large-scale farming operations.
4. Who is known as the 'Father of the Green Revolution in India' and what was his contribution?
M.S. Swaminathan, an Indian geneticist and administrator, is renowned as the 'Father of the Green Revolution in India'. His pivotal role involved collaborating with Norman Borlaug and introducing high-yielding varieties of wheat to India. He advocated for and helped implement the new agricultural strategies, including the use of HYV seeds and modern farming techniques, which were crucial for the program's success in increasing food production across the country.
5. How did the Green Revolution cause both economic benefits and regional imbalances in India?
While the Green Revolution brought significant economic benefits by increasing agricultural productivity and farmers' incomes, its impact was not uniform across the country. It primarily benefited regions with access to reliable irrigation, such as Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh. These areas prospered, leading to increased rural wealth. However, regions dependent on rainfall (rainfed agriculture) could not adopt the new technologies effectively, creating a wide economic disparity between irrigated and non-irrigated areas and between large and small-scale farmers.
6. What are some of the long-term ecological challenges resulting from the Green Revolution?
Despite its success in food production, the Green Revolution has led to several long-term ecological challenges. The intensive farming practices caused:
Soil Degradation: The continuous use of chemical fertilisers damaged the natural fertility of the soil and led to a deficiency in micronutrients.
Water Depletion: HYV crops are water-intensive, and the extensive use of groundwater for irrigation led to a sharp decline in the water table in many regions.
Environmental Pollution: The runoff of chemical fertilisers and pesticides from the fields contaminated surface and groundwater, posing risks to ecosystems and human health.
Loss of Biodiversity: The focus on a few high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice led to the neglect and disappearance of many indigenous and traditional crop varieties.
7. Why is the Green Revolution often called a "Wheat Revolution"?
The Green Revolution is often referred to as a "Wheat Revolution" because its most dramatic and initial success was seen in wheat production. While the output of rice also increased significantly, the growth in wheat production was exceptionally high, rising by more than threefold between 1967 and 2004. The impact on other crops, such as pulses and coarse cereals, was comparatively limited. This disproportionate success in wheat cultivation led to this specific characterisation.
