Green Revolution: A quick recap of what we achieved

(Relevant for General Studies Paper | Economics| Prelims/Mains)

Green Revolution: A quick recap of what we achieved

M.S. Swaminathan has passed away, but his influence endures among every student and scientist in the field of agriculture. He is best known for collaborating with Norman Borlaug to initiate the Green Revolution in India during the mid-1960s, a critical period marked by consecutive droughts.

The Green Revolution played a pivotal role in averting mass starvation, a scenario that seemed imminent at the time. India was already labeled a “ship to mouth” economy, relying on the import of 10 million tonnes from the US through the P.L.480 scheme. Unfortunately, the country lacked the foreign exchange to meet these demands. The gravity of the situation led Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri to appeal to the nation to “skip a meal in a week,” and even wheat-based products, including chapattis, were excluded from wedding festivities.

Green revolution The Green Revolution constituted a significant endeavour aimed at augmenting the production and quality of food crops, particularly wheat and rice, in India. This initiative introduced pioneering technologies, including high-yielding seed varieties, fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation, and mechanization. Objectives: Attaining self-reliance and food security for the population while diminishing dependence on food imports. Enhancing the income and living standards of millions of farmers and rural inhabitants, thereby alleviating poverty and hunger. Modernizing the agricultural sector to render it more efficient, profitable, and globally competitive. Key Features: Adoption of High-Yield Variety (HYV) seeds to amplify food production, with agricultural scientists like M. S. Swaminathan, often recognized as the Father of the Green Revolution in India, playing a crucial role in developing these seeds. Integration of diverse irrigation methods, such as tube wells, canals, dams, and sprinklers, to mitigate reliance on rainfall and ensure consistent water supply for crops. Mechanization of pivotal agricultural practices, including ploughing, sowing, harvesting, and threshing, leveraging tractors, harvesters, and drills to curtail labor costs and enhance efficiency. Utilization of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to augment soil fertility and safeguard crops from pests and diseases. Implementation of double cropping in existing farmland, involving the cultivation of two crops in the same field within a year, to heighten cropping intensity and yield. Expansion of the cultivated area by bringing additional land under cultivation, particularly in semi-arid and arid regions, facilitated by irrigation and HYV seeds.

Need for Green revolution

• In the 1960s, India confronted a dire food crisis marked by swift population growth, inadequate agricultural productivity, recurrent droughts, and reliance on imported food.
• India found itself susceptible to external pressures and political interventions from food-exporting nations, particularly the United States, which utilized food assistance as a diplomatic and leverage tool.
• The primary goals for India were to attain self-sufficiency and ensure food security for its population, aiming to alleviate poverty and malnutrition. India aspired to modernize its agricultural sector, making it more streamlined, profitable, and globally competitive.

Benefits of Green revolution

• Enhanced Food Production: The Green Revolution brought about a substantial surge in agricultural productivity by introducing new high-yielding crop varieties, such as dwarf wheat and rice. These varieties yielded more produce per hectare of land, effectively addressing the escalating global demand for food. For instance, during 1978–1979, a remarkable spike in crop production resulted in a grain output of 131 million tonnes, positioning India among the world’s foremost agricultural producers.
• Decreased Dependence on Food Imports: India transitioned into a net exporter of wheat, rice, and other food grains like rye, maize, sorghum, buckwheat, bajra, and ragi, with negligible imports. In the fiscal year 2020-21, India achieved record-high rice exports of 18.5 million tonnes and wheat exports of 2.1 million tonnes, the highest in six years.
• Alleviation of Poverty: Elevated agricultural productivity often equates to increased incomes for farmers, contributing to poverty alleviation. The Green Revolution played a pivotal role in lifting numerous small-scale farmers out of poverty by boosting their crop yields and income levels.For instance, the rural poverty ratio in India declined from 50.1% in 1993-94 to 25.7% in 2011-12, partially attributed to the impact of the Green Revolution.
• Technological Progress: The Green Revolution introduced farmers to cutting-edge agricultural technologies, encompassing improved seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides. These technological advancements persist in benefiting agriculture today, fostering sustainable practices and heightened efficiency. The adoption of improved seeds has augmented the genetic diversity of crops, enhancing resilience against pests, diseases, and climate variations. Mechanized farm tools, such as tractors, harvesters, and irrigation systems, have curtailed labor costs and augmented farm productivity.
• Rural Advancement: Elevated agricultural productivity can spur rural development, empowering farmers to invest in their communities. This, in turn, leads to enhanced infrastructure, education, and healthcare in rural areas.
• In India, for example, the Green Revolution prompted the expansion of rural roads, electrification, irrigation, and communication networks, enhancing the accessibility and connectivity of rural regions.
• Mitigation of Land Conversion: By amplifying crop yields, the Green Revolution mitigated the necessity to convert forests and other natural habitats into agricultural land. This has yielded positive environmental effects by conserving biodiversity and reducing deforestation.
• Economic Expansion: The escalated agricultural productivity stemming from the Green Revolution has been correlated with overall economic growth in various countries. Agriculture emerges as a pivotal driver of economic development in numerous regions, and augmented yields can catalyze growth across the entire economy.

Challenges brought by the Green Revolution

• Environmental Impact: The Green Revolution induced environmental degradation through the utilization of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, contributing to soil erosion and water pollution. The dependence on modern agricultural technologies has rendered certain countries and communities reliant on external inputs, which can be costly and susceptible to market fluctuations.
• Consequence on Biodiversity: The Green Revolution resulted in the decline of biodiversity and genetic diversity among crops, along with the displacement of indigenous crops and traditional farming practices. Notably, the production of wheat and rice doubled post the Green Revolution, while other food crops, including indigenous rice varieties and millets, experienced a decrease.
• Social and Economic Ramifications: The Green Revolution instigated social and economic disparities and conflicts among farmers, regions, and countries. For instance, it has been associated with farmer suicides, rural indebtedness, and droughts in India.
• Heightened Crop Vulnerability: The Green Revolution amplified the susceptibility of crops to pests, diseases, and climate change. The monoculture of rice and wheat, for instance, heightened their vulnerability to outbreaks of pests and diseases, such as the brown plant hopper and wheat rust.

Can Green Revolution 2.0 become  a Solution to the Green Revolution

Green Revolution 2.0 is envisioned as a strategy to enhance the adaptability and resilience of agriculture to evolving climate and socio-economic conditions, ensuring food and nutrition security for present and future generations.

Key Features of Green Revolution 2.0 include:

• Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering: Emphasizing biotechnology and genetic engineering to cultivate crops with heightened resilience to climate change, pests, and diseases. Responsibly adopting genetically modified (GM) crops can contribute to increased productivity and reduced environmental impact.
• Precision Agriculture: Utilizing advanced technologies like GPS-guided tractors and drones to optimize resource use, including water, fertilizers, and pesticides. Precision agriculture enhances efficiency while reducing the environmental footprint of farming.
• Sustainability: Prioritizing sustainability by endorsing practices that conserve soil health, diminish chemical inputs, and minimize the environmental repercussions of agriculture. This encompasses organic farming, agro ecology, and integrated pest management.
• Diversification: Unlike the initial Green Revolution, which concentrated on a few staple crops like wheat and rice, Green Revolution 2.0 advocates for crop diversification. Encouraging the cultivation of a broader array of crops enriches nutrition, mitigates risks linked to mono-cropping, and safeguards biodiversity.
• Holistic Approach: Taking a holistic stance towards agriculture, recognizing that it extends beyond crop production to encompass aspects like soil health, food processing, marketing, and value addition. Integrated approaches address the entirety of the food supply chain.
• Environmental Considerations: Undertaking efforts to alleviate the adverse environmental impacts linked to modern agriculture, such as soil erosion, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainable practices strive to curtail these effects.
• Adaptation to Climate Change: In response to the challenges posed by climate change, Green Revolution 2.0 endeavors to develop crop varieties and practices resilient to changing weather patterns and extremes.

Reference: The Indian Express

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Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Question: What were the primary objectives of the Green Revolution in India, and how did it impact the country’s food production?

Answer: The Green Revolution aimed to achieve food self-reliance, enhance farmers’ income, and modernize agriculture. It significantly increased food production and made India self-sufficient in grains.

2. Question: Discuss the environmental challenges brought about by the Green Revolution and how Green Revolution 2.0 aims to address them.

Answer: The Green Revolution led to environmental issues like soil erosion and pesticide use. Green Revolution 2.0 focuses on sustainability and environmentally friendly practices.

3. Question: How can Green Revolution 2.0 contribute to enhancing agricultural resilience in the face of climate change and evolving socio-economic conditions?

Answer: Green Revolution 2.0 emphasizes biotechnology, precision agriculture, sustainability, and crop diversification to make agriculture more adaptable to changing circumstances.

4. Question: What are the key features of Green Revolution 2.0, and how do they differ from the initial Green Revolution?

Answer: Green Revolution 2.0 includes biotechnology, precision agriculture, sustainability, diversification, and a holistic approach, focusing on environmental considerations and climate change adaptation.

5. Question: Explain the concept of precision agriculture and its significance in modern farming.

Answer: Precision agriculture utilizes technology like GPS and data-driven decision-making to optimize resource use, reduce wastage, and enhance farming efficiency. It’s crucial for sustainable agriculture and improved productivity.

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