Green Revolution in India

History of Modern India
GREEN REVOLUTION IN INDIA

The Introduction of High-yielding varieties of seeds and the increased use of fertilizers and irrigation are known collectively as the Green Revolution, which provided the increase in production needed to make India self-sufficient in food grains, thus improving agriculture in India. Genetically modified high-yielding wheat was first introduced to India in 1963 by Dr. Norman Borlaug. Borlaug has been hailed as the Father of the Green Revolution. The methods adopted included the use of high yielding varieties(HYV) of seeds.

The production of wheat has produced the best results in fueling self-sufficiency of India. Along with high yielding seeds and irrigation facilities, the enthusiasm of farmers mobilized the idea of agricultural revolution and is also credited to M. S. Swaminathan and his team had contributed towards the success of green revolution. Due to the rise in use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers there were many negative effects on the soil and the land such as land degradation.

The following measures were adopted:

• Use of high yielding varieties (HYV) of seeds
• Irrigation
• Use of insecticides and pesticides
• Consolidation of holdings
• Land reforms
• Rural electrification
• Improved rural infrastructure
• Supply of agricultural credit
• Use of (chemical) fertilizers
• Opening of agriculture colleges

The needs of Green Revolution are as follows.

1. Low Irrigation Facility: The well irrigated and permanent irrigated area was only 17% in 1951. The major part of area was dependent on rainfall and, consequently, agriculture suffered from low level of production.

2. Conventional and Traditional Approach: The use of conventional inputs and absence of modern techniques further hampered the agricultural productivity.

3. Frequent Occurrence of Famines: Famines in India were very frequent during the period 1940s to 1970s. Further, due to higher growth rate of populations, agriculture failed to grow at the same speed.

4. Lack of Finance (credit): Small and marginal farmers found it very difficult to get finance and credit at cheap rate from the government and banks, hence, fell an easy prey to the money lenders.

5. Self-sufficiency: Due to the traditional agricultural practices, low productivity, and to feed growing population, often food grains were imported that drained away scarce foreign reserves. It was thought that with the increased production due to Green Revolution, government can maintain buffer stock and India can achieve self-sufficiency and self-reliable.

6. Marketising Agriculture: Agriculture was basically for subsistence and, therefore, less amount of agricultural product was offered for sale in the market. Hence, the need was felt to encourage the farmers to increase their production and offer a greater portion of their products for sale in the market.