Yellow Revolution – History, Facts and Father of Yellow Revolution

The Yellow Revolution was an initiative undertaken in 1986-1987 aimed at boosting the cultivation of edible oils, specifically mustard and sesame seeds, to achieve self-sufficiency. Sam Pitroda is acknowledged as the key figure behind the Yellow Revolution in India. It greatly impacted India’s agricultural sector. Increasing the output of edible oilseeds in India was the aim of the yellow revolution.

To meet domestic demand, it was started. Linseed, castor, safflower, soybean, sunflower, mustard, groundnuts, and sesame seeds were all targeted by the revolution. The goal of the yellow revolution was to produce these goods independently. It is regarded as one of the most important revolutions in India.

In this article, we will look into the definition, background, characteristics, advantages, and challenges of the yellow revolution in detail.

What is the Yellow Revolution?

The cultivation of oilseeds, such as mustards, groundnuts, sesame seeds, safflower, soybeans, sunflower, linseed, niger, and castor, is associated with the Yellow Revolution. The Yellow Revolution was started in 1986 and lasted until 1987. Sam Pitroda is regarded as its founder and leader.

• The goal of the Yellow Revolution was to introduce hybrid mustard and sesame seeds to boost edible oil production.
• Various contemporary technologies were applied, and the amount of land used for agriculture was expanded to almost 26 million hectares. As a result, in many parts of India, the revolution was able to overcome socioeconomic divisions.
• In Punjab, it also indicated the start of a new age with the planting of sunflowers. The Yellow Revolution is said to have had a beneficial effect because oil production increased from 12 million tons to 24 million tons in ten years.

Yellow Revolution Definition

The Yellow Revolution is a significant agricultural movement in India aimed at boosting the production of edible oils, specifically focusing on crops like mustard and sesame seeds.

Background of the Yellow Revolution in India

In 1986, India started the Oil Technological Mission. This mission was started to make sure the revolution was successful. Various benefits were provided to farmers during the Yellow Revolution. These rewards were available at fertilizer, insecticide, and irrigation plants.

• Other benefits such as storage, transportation, and a minimum support price were also included as incentives. The Oil Technological Mission was initiated with the Oilseed Production Thrust.
• This started to increase the popularity of the four main oilseeds: peanut, sunflower, mustard, and soybean. In other states, the initiative involved establishing 25 hectares of land and 3,000 oilseed societies. Consequently, 25 lakh farmers were engaged in the oilseed cropping process.
• Another important factor in the success of this revolution was the National Dairy Board. The board was responsible for encouraging the cultivation of a particular kind of oilseed.
• Gujarat’s increased production of groundnut oil was specifically brought about by the National Dairy Board. The task of increasing oilseed production in a few non-traditional areas was assigned to the National Oilseeds and Vegetable Oils Development Board.
• The revolution had a successful outcome. Within the next ten years, the country’s oilseed output became self-sufficient. Even while the Yellow Revolution was associated with favorable results, it was unable to satisfy all domestic demand.
• India had to import oilseeds in order to meet domestic demand. About 60% of edible oils are imported by India. 15 million tonnes of oilseeds were imported by India in 2019.

Father of the Yellow Revolution

Sam Pitroda is known as the Father of the Yellow Revolution. His full name is Satyanarayan Gangaram Pitroda. In India, he is well-known for his innovative contributions to the field of telecommunications. He is well known for his innovative ideas and dedication to rural development. Pitroda worked with lawyers, farmers, and agricultural professionals. He gave a new perspective on issues involving oilseed production.

C-DOT (Centre for Development of Telematics), directed by him, changed India’s oilseed output. To boost crop yield and quality, he developed cutting-edge methodologies, hybrid varieties, and innovative approaches that transformed the oilseed sector.

Characteristics of the Yellow Revolution

The following are some of the important characteristics of the Yellow Revolution:

• The Yellow Revolution provided farmers with transportation, minimum support price, fertilizers, insecticides, irrigation, and warehousing, among other processing supplies.
• The National Dairy Board (NDB) was one of many organizations responsible for boosting oilseed productivity during the revolution. The NDB was responsible for improving groundnut oil output in Gujarat.
• The National Oilseeds and Vegetable Oils Development Board was responsible for boosting oilseed production in non-conventional areas.
• The goal of the Oilseeds Production Thrust is to raise public awareness of the four main oilseeds—sunflower, peanut, soybean, and mustard.
• With 13 lakh farmers and 25 hectares of cultivable land, over 3000 oilseed societies were established.
• India’s oil production eventually became self-sufficient within the next ten years, but unfortunately, it failed to generate enough to meet its needs. To meet demand, India started to import oilseeds from other countries.
• More than 5 million tonnes of goods were imported by India in 2007 from many countries, including Malaysia, Argentina, Brazil, and others.

Advantages of the Yellow Revolution

The following are the advantages of the yellow revolution:

• Punjab’s production of sunflower seeds increased greatly, assisted by advancements in technology.
• It contributed to the nation’s achievement of new socioeconomic prospects.
• In ten years, India’s oil production increased from 12 million to 24 million tonnes.
• Farmers started using hybrid oil seeds and accepted contemporary technologies.

Challenges to the Yellow Revolution

Some of the challenges to the yellow revolution are mentioned below:

• There isn’t enough edible oil since it’s hard to expand the area that is grown.
• The area used for oilseed production has greatly decreased as a result of poor awareness and changes in cropping patterns.
• Oilseeds are less productive because they are prone to disease and pests.
• Because of the unhealthful environment and the production of unhealthy crops, the output of oilseeds is decreasing.
• The Indian government has started several measures to improve this industry.

Government Initiatives Related to the Yellow Revolution

Some of the important government initiatives related to the yellow revolution are mentioned below:

• Technology Mission on Oilseeds & Pulses (TMOP): In 1991–1992, DAC&FW established the Technology Mission on Oilseeds & Pulses (TMOP) in the potential states as a way to acknowledge the importance and relevance of oil palm development.
• Oil Palm Development Programme (OPDP): The Oil Palm Development Programme (OPDP) was a broad initiative with central assistance that was implemented during the VIII and IX economic plans.
• Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm, and Maize (ISOPOM): During the X and XI Plans, the Indian government encouraged the growth of oil palm through this program.
• RKVY’s Special Oil Palm Area Expansion Program (OPAE): 60,000 acres of land were still being used for oil palm agriculture as of March 2014.
• The National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP): During the XII Plan, the National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP) was founded with the goal of expanding the oil palm sector and its products.In 2018, NMOOP and the National Food Security Mission merged.

How to Enhance Yellow Revolution

The following are some of the strategies to enhance oilseed production:

• Growing the supply of fresh varieties and producing more seeds.
• Oilseed cultivation is encouraged by low-cost technologies that have a high influence on productivity since they boost income.
• Techniques focusing on enhancing quality and adding value through the use of technology that affect employment through the development of skills and entrepreneurship.
• To encourage crop diversification, the Government of India (GOI) introduced the Integrated Scheme for Oilseeds, Oil Palm, Pulses, and Maize Development Programme (ISOPOM), which grants states implementation freedom based on a regionally customized approach.
• To ensure that farmers obtain fair prices and to encourage a strong procurement structure, the government introduced the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) program. Farmers will be encouraged to plant oilseed crops via this initiative.
• To create backward linkages and increase the production of oilseeds in the nation, large processing factories are to be required and given incentives under the Make in India program.
• To enhance oilseed (raw material) output, these processing facilities can work with farmer-producer organizations (FPOs). FPOs have the potential to greatly increase indigenous oilseed production.

Yellow Revolution for UPSC Exam

Candidates studying for the UPSC examination must be aware that the Static GK portion and Geography GS Paper I cover the topic of the Yellow Revolution and subsequent revolutions. In order to meet domestic demand, the country’s edible oilseed production was to be increased through the Yellow Revolution. This agricultural revolution holds relevance for the general awareness portion of several competitive examinations. Students preparing for UPSC examination can also read about the following topics:

• Blue Revolution
• Agriculture Revolutions in India
• Green Revolution in India

Sumary – Yellow Revolution

The Yellow Revolution, initiated in 1986-1987 in India, focused on increasing the production of edible oils, particularly mustard and sesame seeds, with the aim of achieving self-sufficiency. Spearheaded by Sam Pitroda, known as the Father of the Yellow Revolution, the movement utilized advanced technologies, expanded agricultural land, and brought socio-economic benefits. Despite leading to self-sufficiency in oilseed production, India still had to import oilseeds to meet domestic demand. The revolution faced challenges such as limited cultivation area expansion, decreasing oilseed productivity, and environmental issues. Government initiatives and schemes, such as the National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm, have been introduced to address these challenges and further enhance oilseed production. The Yellow Revolution is a very important aspect of India’s agricultural history, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices.

FAQs on Yellow Revolution

1. Who is the Father of Yellow Revolution in the World?

Sam Pitroda is the father of the Yellow Revolution. The nation’s oilseed production is linked to the Yellow Revolution. As a result, the revolution aimed to make oilseed production and farming self-sufficient.

2. What was Yellow Revolution?

The Yellow Revolution refers to the initiative that was started in 1986–1987 to boost the production of edible oil, particularly from mustard and sesame seeds, in order to become self-sufficient. In India, Sam Pitroda is regarded as the father of the Yellow Revolution.

3. What was the aim of Yellow Revolution in India?

Expanding domestic production of edible oilseeds to meet demand was the aim of the Yellow Revolution. The goal of the 1986–1987 Yellow Revolution was to increase edible oil production, especially from sesame and mustard seeds, in order to become self-sufficient.

4. Where was Yellow Revolution Started?

In India, the Yellow Revolution started in 1986–1987. It was started with the goal of raising edible oilseed output in the nation to satisfy domestic demand. In India, it is regarded as one of the most significant revolutions. It is one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS exam.

5. What were the Positive Impacts of Yellow Revolution?

Yellow Revolution contributed to the nation’s achievement of new socioeconomic prospects. In ten years, India’s oil production increased from 12 million to 24 million tonnes. Farmers started using hybrid oil seeds and accepted contemporary technologies.