The Green revolution happened due to the modernisation of Indian agriculture during the mid-sixties. Due to the increase in population during the late 1950s and 1960s, there appeared to be an extreme food crisis due to several food calamities and increased demand for food grains. The incapacity of Indian agriculture to meet the demand for food was an important topic of concern. As a result of the increased population, the system of Indian agriculture based on traditional knowledge and practices began to fail to feed the growing population. Therefore, the government was compelled to start exporting food grains from other countries. The disgrace that the government felt due to the dependence of our country on other western developed countries and their system made them comprehend that the country needed to be self-sufficient in the production of food grains. Thus, it was essential to substantially increase the production of food grains by modernising agriculture. The main focus of the government in the 1960s was the success of the program Green Revolution. Agriculture in India mainly depends on the monsoon season. If there is a shortage of monsoons in India, it affects agriculture to a large extent. Also due to the traditional techniques, the productivity in the agricultural field was very low and the farmers had to face a lot of difficulties. There was no strong infrastructure present.
What is Green Revolution?
The large increase in the production of food grains because of the use of HYV or miracle seeds, especially for wheat and rice is known as Green Revolution. The term ‘green revolution’ was used in the context of consequential advancement in the field of production, especially wheat and rice, in India after the 1960s with the help of new agricultural practices and technologies and thus replacing the old traditional agricultural methods. The traditional methods and practices included the use of original inputs such as organic manures, seeds, simple ploughs, and other basic agricultural tools. Modern methods and practices comprise a high-yielding variety (HYV) of seeds, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, extensive irrigation, agricultural machinery, etc. This program was also known as modern agricultural technology, seed-fertilizer-water technology, or in simpler terms Green Revolution. The title of Green Revolution was given because this program happened and spread quickly bringing extraordinary results in such a short period. In the years 1998-1999, the Green Revolution covered a total area of 78 million hectares, that is, 55 percent of the net sown area. The leading cause that lead to the emergence of the Agricultural revolution was the new kind of seeds known as the High Yielding Variety(HYV) Seeds which led to a drastic increase in agricultural yield. These seeds are required to plant in those areas, which have suitable drainage and water supply. These seeds need chemical fertilizers and pesticides 4-10 times more than ordinary seeds to get a high-yield production.
Fun Fact:
Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, who is an American Agricultural Scientist, is considered as the Father of the Green Revolution. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for the breeding of higher-yielding varieties. However, in India the breeding was mainly found by M.S. Swaminathan.
Success of Green Revolution in two phases:
1. First Phase: The first phase was from the mid-60s to mid-70s, and in this phase, there was a restriction on the use of HYV seeds in more affluent states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, etc. Besides, the use of HYV seeds primarily provided benefits to the wheat growing regions only.
2. Second Phase: The second phase of the Green Revolution was from the mid-70s to mid-80s, and in this phase, the technology of HYV spread to a large number of states and provided benefits to more variety of crops.
Impacts of Green Revolution
The impact of the Green Revolution is as follows:
- The most significant change brought down by the green revolution was the rapid increase in the production of food grains. From the year 1960-1961, the production of food grains increased from 82 million tonnes to over 126 million tonnes during the years 1990-1991. It attained a record of production of 273 million tonnes in 2016-2017.
- The most important accomplishment of the green revolution is the fact that India has become self-sufficient in the production of food grains.
- There is a significant increase in land yield concerning food grains brought about by the use of new technologies. For example, the yield per acre of wheat grew by 3.7 times between 1960-61 to 2016-17.
- The remarkable increase in the production activity and productivity of food grains resulting from the green revolution signifies that Indian agriculture is growing and that it is no longer stationary. This rise in Indian agriculture made the agriculture sector a part of economic development. Therefore, this development increased the income and enhancement of the economic conditions of the farmers.
- The Green revolution also influenced the ecology and environment. The extensive use of modern tools in agriculture, such as pesticides and fertilizers has started to take effect. This includes the degradation of land fertility, harm to the environment, chemical contaminations, etc. The results of which are soil erosion, salinity, soil contamination, genetic erosion, etc.
Achievements or Benefits of Green Revolution
Achievements or Benefits of the Green Revolution are as follows:
- Reduction of the Number of Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The high-yield approach to agriculture has a considerable effect on how carbon cycles through the atmosphere. Thus, the green revolution controls emissions and the environment.
- Increase in Food Production: The use of modern techniques of production in place of the old traditional ones has helped in increasing the production of food by a considerable amount.
- Consistent Yields during Uncooperative Seasons: By focusing on the production of those varieties of crops that have a high yield in different seasons, the green revolution can produce crops even in uncooperative seasons.
- Reduction in Food Prices for the Global Economy: The agricultural markets depend on supply and demand. The supply of food grains is more available when there is a consistent yield. High-yield crops produce more items for harvest, which means additional food is available to consumers. This enables the farmers to sell their products at a lower rate for the consumers. The farmers themselves gain additional profits by producing more on the same area of land.
- Reduces the Issues of Deforestation: Since the green revolution helps increase food production through its modern techniques, it lowers the need for the consumption of food for the people as they can meet their food requirements. There is enough food for the people to consume. Thus, reducing the need for deforestation and protecting the environment.
Shortcomings or Risks of Green Revolution
Shortcomings or Risks of the Green Revolution are as follows:
- Lack of Biodiversity: The dependence on high-yielding crops forces people to rely on only those kinds of crops; thus, reducing the need for other significant or wild diversities around the globe. This disadvantage leads to the loss of diversity in the agricultural field.
- Quality of Soil: Since the wild diversities are affected by modern methods, the same high-yielding crops are repeatedly grown on the same area of land. This leads to soil depletion and forces the soil to gradually lose all its nutrients, thus, degrading the quality of the soil.
- Impact on Health: Repeated consumption of food produced with the help of pesticides and fertilizers or even exposure of farmers to these chemicals might have a significant effect on health causing several health-related issues.
- Seed Sterility: Modern technologies of production enable seed producers to prevent future crop growth by collecting seeds from mature plants.
- Promotes Monocropping: The green revolution leads to the same crop production in the same area instead of growing multiple crops on the same land. This prevents crop rotation leading to Monocropping in the area which results in several problems, such as degradation of soil, nutrient depletion in soil, soil erosion, etc.
- Risk of Pest Attack: The crops grown through HYV seeds were more likely to get destroyed by pests than normal crops. Therefore, small farmers are at a high risk of losing everything in a pest attack due to this technology.
- Increase in Income Inequalities: The inputs used in the green revolution, such as chemical fertilizers, pesticides, HYV seeds, etc., can be costly and may increase inequality between the small and big farmers. This is because only the big farmers might be the only ones who could purchase such inputs.