Green Revolution In India: The Green Revolution is linked to the production of agriculture. The process of raising agricultural productivity by utilizing contemporary instruments and techniques is known as the “Green Revolution.” During this time, the nation’s agriculture was transformed into an industrial system as a result of the adoption of contemporary practices and procedures, such as the use of tractors, fertilizers, pesticides, and high-yielding variety seeds. The government focused primarily on growing the agricultural lands up to 1967. However, due to the fast-growing population and declining food output, severe measures had to be taken right once to enhance yield, and the result was the Green Revolution.
In this article, we will learn everything related to the Green Revolution in India, features of the Green Revolution, schemes under the Green Revolution, and its impact on the Indian economy.
Table of Content
What is the Green Revolution?
The Green Revolution, spearheaded by agricultural scientist Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan, played a pivotal role in averting famine in South Asia during the 1960s. Often hailed as the father of this agricultural movement, Swaminathan’s efforts focused on promoting high-yielding wheat and rice varieties among impoverished farmers in South and Southeast Asia. This initiative significantly contributed to enhancing agricultural self-sufficiency and earned him the first World Food Prize in 1987. Swaminathan, however, recognized the potential environmental drawbacks of intensive farming and advocated for a sustainable ‘evergreen revolution.’ Born into an agricultural family in south India, Swaminathan’s commitment to service and improvement in Indian agriculture was deeply influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of selfless service to the nation. His contributions extended beyond agriculture, as he served in various capacities, incorporating gender and environmental concerns into development planning and actively participating in committees addressing diverse issues.
Features of the Green Revolution
The following are some significant features of India’s green revolution:
- High-yielding variety seeds were introduced into Indian agriculture.
- In areas with abundant irrigation resources, the HYV seeds performed exceptionally well and produced a larger wheat production. As a result, the Green Revolution initially concentrated on states like Tamil Nadu and Punjab that had greater infrastructure.
- Other states received the high-yielding variety seeds during the second phase, and the plan also included crops outside wheat.
- The strategy excluded cash crops and commercial crops like oilseeds, cotton, jute, and so on. In India, the Green Revolution mostly focused on staple cereals like rice and wheat.
- Green Revolution expanded the availability and use of herbicides, weedicides, and fertilizers to improve farm output and minimize crop damage.
- It contributed to the nation’s commercial farming industry by introducing technology and equipment such as tractors, drills, harvesters, and other equipment.
- Proper watering is the most crucial prerequisite for high-yielding variety seeds. Farmers cannot rely solely on the monsoon to supply adequate water for crops grown from HYV seeds. As a result, India’s agricultural irrigation systems have been enhanced by the Green Revolution.
Schemes Under the Green Revolution in India
The Green Revolution-Krishnnati Yojana is an umbrella scheme that includes eleven schemes. Each scheme aims to develop agriculture and related sectors scientifically and comprehensively, increasing farmers’ income through improved productivity, production, and returns on produce; strengthening production infrastructure; and lowering production and marketing costs. The following 11 programs are included in the Umbrella Schemes under the Green Revolution:
1. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)
Its goals are to boost the horticulture industry’s overall growth, increase horticulture productivity, improve dietary security, and help farm households with economic support.
2. National Food Security Mission (NFSM)
Through area expansion and productivity enhancement, it seeks to boost production of commercial crops, rice, wheat, pulses, and coarse cereals. It aim to improve farm-level economy and restore soil fertility and productivity at the individual farm level. It also seeks to decrease edible oil imports and increase the supply of vegetable oils.
3. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
The goal of the NMSA is to advance sustainable agriculture methods that are most appropriate for the particular agro-ecology, with an emphasis on integrated farming, sensible management of soil health, and technology that synergizes resource conservation.
4. Submission on Agriculture Extension (SMAE)
The goals of SMAE are farmers’ socioeconomic empowerment and food and nutrition security. To create efficient connections and collaborations between different stakeholders and to encourage the widespread and creative use of print and electronic media, interpersonal communication, ICT tools, etc.
5. Sub-Mission on Seeds and Planting Material (SMSP)
The goal of SMSP is to produce more certified and high-quality seed. It also bolster the chain of seed multiplication and update the infrastructure for seed storage, production, quality control, and certification, among other areas. Developing new techniques and technologies in the processing, testing, and production of seeds,
6. Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM)
SMAM seeks to extend farm mechanization’s reach to small and marginal farmers as well as to areas with limited access to agricultural labor. To counteract the negative economies of scale brought on by tiny landholding and the high cost of individual ownership, it will support “Custom Hiring Centers.” Through demonstration and capacity-building initiatives, it will raise awareness among stakeholders and establish centers for high-tech and valuable farm equipment.
7. Sub-Mission on Plant Protection and Plan Quarantine (SMPPQ)
The goal of SMPPQ is to reduce the amount of agricultural crop production and quality loss caused by weeds, nematodes, rodents, illnesses, and insect pests. It will protect agricultural biosecurity from alien species intrusions and spread, enabling the sale of Indian agricultural products to international markets. Encourage the use of excellent agricultural techniques, especially in relation to plant protection tactics.
8. Integrated Scheme on Agriculture Census, Economics and Statistics (ISACES)
Its objectives include conducting an agriculture census, analyzing the costs associated with cultivating the nation’s main crops and doing research on agroeconomic issues. It aims to develop a hierarchical information system on crop condition and crop production from planting to harvest and enhance agricultural statistics methodology.
9. Integrated Scheme on Agricultural Cooperation (ISAC)
It seeks to eliminate regional imbalances, expedite cooperative development, and offer financial support for enhancing the economic standing of cooperatives. The program will specifically assist cotton farmers in obtaining fair compensation for their yield by adding value, in addition to guaranteeing that the decentralized weavers have access to high-quality yarn at competitive prices.
10. Integrated Scheme on Agricultural Marketing (ISAM)
ISAM wants to build competitive alternatives in the field of agricultural marketing infrastructure, as well as creative and cutting-edge technologies. Establish infrastructure that enables agricultural produce to be graded, standardized, and certified for quality. It seeks to create a uniform online market platform and a national marketing information network to enable commerce in agricultural commodities and other goods throughout India.
11. National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGP-A)
It seeks to instill a service orientation and farmer centricity in the initiatives. Making it easier for farmers to obtain services and information throughout the agricultural cycle. By providing farmers with timely and pertinent information to boost their agricultural productivity, it seeks to improve program efficacy and efficiency.
The Impact of Green Revolution on India
Here’s the impact of the Green Revolution on Indian Economy:
- Increased Agricultural Productivity: One of the primary objectives of the Green Revolution was to enhance agricultural productivity. The introduction of high-yielding varieties (HYVs) of crops, improved irrigation facilities, and increased use of fertilizers and pesticides resulted in a significant increase in crop yields. Wheat and rice production, in particular, saw remarkable growth.
- Food Security: The Green Revolution played a crucial role in ensuring food security for India. The increased production of staple crops like wheat and rice helped meet the growing demand of a rapidly expanding population. India, which faced food shortages in the pre-Green Revolution era, became self-sufficient in food production.
- Economic Growth: The improved agricultural productivity contributed to economic growth by increasing farm income and creating a surplus for trade. The surplus income generated by farmers stimulated economic activities in rural areas and contributed to the overall economic development of the country.
- Technological Advancements: The Green Revolution introduced modern agricultural technologies, including mechanization, better seeds, and advanced irrigation techniques. Farmers were encouraged to adopt scientific methods of cultivation, leading to a shift from traditional, labor-intensive practices to more efficient and mechanized farming.
- Rural Transformation: The economic growth in agriculture led to a transformation in rural areas. The increased income levels improved living standards, and there was a shift from agrarian-based economies to more diversified economies with increased opportunities for non-agricultural activities.
- Challenges and Inequities: While the Green Revolution brought about significant benefits, it also led to certain challenges and disparities. The benefits were not evenly distributed, and larger, more prosperous farmers tended to benefit more than small and marginal farmers. This created economic disparities and contributed to social inequality.
- Environmental Concerns: The intensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides raised environmental concerns. Over time, the negative impacts of these practices on soil health, water resources, and biodiversity became evident. There was an increasing recognition of the need for sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices.
- Dependency on Water: The success of the Green Revolution was often dependent on irrigation. This led to increased demands on water resources, sometimes resulting in over-extraction of groundwater. The sustainability of water usage became a critical issue in certain regions.
Conclusion – Green Revolution In India
All things considered, the Green Revolution delivered many developing nations—especially India—an unprecedented degree of national food security and was a huge success. It signified the effective transfer and adaption of the same scientific agricultural revolution that the industrialized nations had already successfully seized for themselves. Less attention was, however, given to aspects other than guaranteeing food security, such as the environment, the underprivileged farmers, and their education regarding the use of such chemicals. To ensure that the impoverished benefit more directly from emerging technology, politicians must focus their efforts more narrowly on them going forward. Additionally, these technologies must be more environmentally friendly. To avoid repeating the mistakes of the past, it is imperative that these programs encompass all beneficiaries throughout all regions as opposed to focusing only on one.
FAQs on Green Revolution In India
1. Who started Green Revolution in India?
Leader of India’s “green revolution,” Swaminathan (1925–2023), was an agricultural scientist who introduced crops to the country to alleviate starvation in the 1960s.
2. What were the high yielding variety crops concentrated during green revolution?
There was a concentration of five main crops: bajra, maize, jowar, rice, and wheat.
3. What was the aim of green revolution in India?
In 1965, the Green Revolution got underway. It was the first time that Indian agriculture had used High Yield Variety seeds. The primary goal of the Green Revolution was to increase India’s food grain self-sufficiency.
4. Is Green revolution important for class 9?
Yes, understanding the Green Revolution is important for students in Class 9 as The Green Revolution marked a significant phase in India’s agricultural history.