The Green Revolution
in India was a period that began in the 1960s during which agriculture in
India was converted into a modern industrial system by the adoption of technology,
such as the use of high yielding variety (HYV) seeds, mechanized farm tools,
irrigation facilities, pesticides, and fertilizers. Mainly led by agricultural
scientist M. S. Swaminathan in India, this period was part of the larger Green
Revolution endeavor initiated by Norman Borlaug, which leveraged agricultural
research and technology to increase agricultural productivity in the developing
world. Varieties or strains of crops can be selected by breeding for various
useful characteristics such as disease resistance, response to fertilizers,
product quality and high yields.
Under the premiership of
Congress leaders Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi, the Green Revolution
within India commenced in 1968, leading to an increase in food grain
production, especially in Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh. Major
milestones in this undertaking were the development of high-yielding varieties
of wheat, and rust resistant strains of wheat.
Notable figures and
institutions –
A number of people have
been recognized for their efforts during India's Green Revolution.
M. S. Swaminathan, the
main architect or the Father of the Green Revolution in India.
Chidambaram Subramaniam,
the food and agriculture minister at the time, a Bharat Ratna, has been called
the Political Father of the Green Revolution.
Dilbagh Singh Athwal, is
called the Father of the Wheat Revolution.
Scientists such as Atmaram
Bhairav Joshi.
Institutions such as Indian
Agricultural Research Institute (IARI).
Wheat production –
The main development was
higher-yielding varieties of wheat, for developing rust resistant strains of
wheat. The introduction of high-yielding varieties (HYV) of seeds and the
improved quality of fertilizers and irrigation techniques led to the increase
in the production to make the country self-sufficient in food grains, thus
improving agriculture in India. Also, other varieties such as Kalyan Sona and
Sonalika were introduced by cross-breeding of wheat with other crops. The
methods adopted included the use of high-yielding varieties (HYVs) of seeds
with modern farming methods.
The production of wheat
has produced the best results in fueling the self-sufficiency of India. Along
with high-yielding seeds and irrigation facilities, the enthusiasm of farmers
mobilized the idea of an agricultural revolution. Due to the rise in the use of
chemical pesticides and fertilizers, there was a negative effect on the soil
and the land (e.g., land degradation).
Rationale for the Green
Revolution –
The Green Revolution in
India was first introduced in Punjab in late 1966-67 as part of a development
program issued by international donor agencies and the Government of India.
During the British Raj,
India's grain economy hinged on a unilateral relation of exploitation.
Consequently, when India gained independence, the weakened country quickly
became vulnerable to frequent famines, financial instabilities, and low productivity.
These factors formed a rationale for the implementation of the Green Revolution
as a development strategy in India.
Frequent famines: In
1964—65 and 1965—66, India experienced two severe droughts which led to food
shortages and famines among the country's growing population. Modern
agricultural technologies appeared to offer strategies to counter the frequency
of famines. There is debate regarding India's famines prior to independence,
with some arguing they were intensified by British taxation and agrarian
policies in the 19th and 20th centuries, and others downplaying such impact of
colonial rule.
Lack of finance: Marginal
farmers found it very difficult to get finance and credit at economical rates
from the government and banks and hence, fell as easy prey to the money
lenders. They took loans from landlords, who charged high rates of interest and
also exploited the farmers later on to work in their fields to repay the loans
(farm labourers ) Proper financing was not given during the Green Revolution
period, which created a lot of problems and sufferings for the farmers of
India. The government also helped those under loans.
Low productivity: In the
context of India's rapidly growing population, the country's traditional
agricultural practices yielded insufficient food production. By the 1960s, this
low productivity led India to experience food grain shortages that were more severe
than those of other developing countries. Agricultural technological
advancements offered opportunities to increase productivity.
Criticism of the Green Revolution
–
The Green Revolution
yielded great economic prosperity during its early years. In Punjab, where it
was first introduced, the Green Revolution led to significant increases in the
state's agricultural output, supporting India's overall economy. By 1970,
Punjab was producing 70% of the country’s total food grains, and farmers'
incomes were increasing by over 70%. Punjab's prosperity following the Green
Revolution became a model to which other states aspired to reach.
However, despite the
initial prosperity experienced in Punjab, the Green Revolution was met with
much controversy throughout India.
Indian economic
sovereignty (negative impact) –
Criticism of the effects
of the green revolution includes the cost for many small farmers using HYV
seeds, with their associated demands of increased irrigation systems and
pesticides. A case study is found in India, where farmers are buying Monsanto BT
cotton seeds—were sold on the idea that these seeds produced 'non-natural
insecticides'. In reality, they still had to pay for expensive pesticides and
irrigation systems, which led to increased borrowing to finance the change from
traditional seed varieties. Many farmers had difficulty paying for the
expensive technologies, especially if they had a bad harvest. These high costs
of cultivation pushed rural farmers to take out loans—typically at high
interest rates. Over-borrowing entrapped the farmers into a cycle of debt.
India's liberalized
economy further exacerbated the farmers' economic conditions. Indian
environmentalist Vandana Shiva writes that this is the "second Green
Revolution". The first Green Revolution, she suggests, was mostly publicly
funded (by the Indian Government). This new Green Revolution, she says, is
driven by private (and foreign) interest—notably MNCs like Monsanto—as
encouraged by Neoliberalism. Ultimately, this is leading to foreign ownership
over most of India's farmland, undermining farmers' interests.
Farmers' financial issues
have become especially apparent in Punjab, where its rural areas have witnessed
an alarming rise in suicide rates. Excluding the countless unreported cases,
there has been estimated to be a 51.97 % increase in the number of suicides in
Punjab in 1992—93, compared to the recorded 5.11% increase in the country as a
whole. According to a 2019 Indian news report, indebtedness continues to be a
grave issue affecting the people of Punjab today, demonstrated by the more than
900 recorded farmer committed suicide in Punjab in the last two years.
Environmental damage –
Excessive and
inappropriate use of fertilizers and pesticides polluted waterways and killed
beneficial insects and wildlife. It has caused over-use of soil and rapidly
depleted its nutrients. The rampant irrigation practices led to eventual soil
degradation. Groundwater practices have fallen dramatically. Further, heavy
dependence on few major crops has led to the loss of biodiversity of farmers
and the increase of stubble burning cases since 1980. These problems were
aggravated due to the absence of training to use modern technology and vast
illiteracy leading to excessive use of chemicals.
Increased regional
disparities –
The green revolution
spread only in irrigated and high-potential rainfed areas. The villages or
regions without access to sufficient water were left out that widened the
regional disparities between adopters and non-adopters. Since, the HYV seeds technically
can be applied only on land with assured water supply and availability of other
inputs like chemicals, fertilizers, etc. The application of the new technology
in dry-land areas is simply ruled out.
States like Punjab,
Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, etc. having good irrigation and other infrastructure
facilities were able to derive the benefits of the green revolution and achieve
faster economic development while other states have recorded slow growth in agriculture
production.
Alternative farming
methods –
In the years since Green Revolution was adopted, issues of sustainability have come up due to the adverse environmental and social impacts. To meet this challenge other alternatives to farming have emerged like small subsistence farms, family homesteads, New Age communes, village and community farming collectives and women's cooperatives with the common purpose of producing organically grown, chemical-free food. In green revolution areas of the country, increasing numbers of families are experimenting on their own with alternative systems of land management and the growing of crops. Building upon the idea of sustainable development, commercial models for large-scale food production have been developed by integrating traditional farming systems with appropriate energy efficient technology.
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