What
- Massive increase in agricultural productivity of food grains in India due to adoption of modern technology and practices. It was the main plank of second land reforms that kicked off in late 1960s.
Why
- Conditions of Indian agriculture were dismal at the time of independence. Land reforms in early time failed to yield results due to inherent weaknesses.
- Severe droughts (famine like situations in UP, Bihar) and poor farm productivity resulted in food crisis in India. It compelled India for conditional import food from America under PL480 agreement.
- Existing crop production reached the limits due to existing technological barriers.
- Agrarian unrests leading to militant peasant movement like Naxalbari and Srikakulam
- Massive unemployment due to industrial stagnation owing to wars with China and Pakistan
- Scientific breakthrough at that time promising higher farm productivity emerged as a possible solution for chronic food shortage in india. It received wider acceptance from policy makers and government.
Features
- The revolution first started in areas with assured irrigational facilities and other natural and institutional advantages. These affluent states were Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu
- Modern technology involved HYV seeds(rice and wheat), fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, agricultural machinery, soil testing facilities, and technological guidance
- Provision of easy and better credit facilities
- Provision of such technologies at convenient terms and at subsidized rates
- Set-up of Agricultural Pricing Commission to ensure sustainable remunerative prices to farmers.
Benefits /Implications
Economic
- Huge increase in farm productivity. Total food production increased by 35 % between 1968 and 1971.
- Self-sufficiency in food production
- Food buffer stock with government to meet emergency conditions
- Emergence of india as a net food supplier country
- Agricultural surplus pushed for non-farm activities and thus to economy
Social outcomes
- Increase in inequality. Small farmers and landless received little benefits as compared to big land owners and farmers.
- In some parts of Punjab, the high income scenario led to luxurious lives and forced many youth to drug addiction.
Regional imbalance
- Green revolution kicked off in already advantageous states. The increased outcomes thus furthered the regional imbalance across the country.
Ecological
- Rise of Critical ecological problems
- Decline in soil fertility
- Decline in water table
- Environmental degradation of soil due to increased salinity and of water due to eutrophication
- Entry of harmful substances and increase of toxic level in food chain
Q. Why did green revolution start only few states in India?
A. Green revolution started in affluent states such as Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh due to their advantageous positions. The advantages they had were:
- Reliable irrigation facilities required for the use of new HYV technology. Other states were vulnerable to droughts and floods.
- Ability of affluent farmers to absorb the possible shocks associated with new risky technology