- The term “Green Revolution” denotes the rapid increase in food grain production achieved through the utilization of high-yielding variety seeds.
- High-yielding varieties (HYVs) of wheat and rice have been pivotal elements in the Indian Green Revolution.
- While the term traditionally refers to wheat and rice, some agricultural experts extend its scope to include crops like maize, soybean, and sugarcane, where significant yield improvements have been witnessed.
Key Aspects of the First Green Revolution:
Introduction of High Yielding Varieties (HYVs):
- During the 1960s, India’s wheat yield lagged far behind that of agriculturally advanced nations.
- Recognizing the need for a breeding program overhaul, MS Swaminathan, former Director General of ICAR, advocated for the adoption of dwarf varieties.
- In 1963, Indian breeders sought the expertise of Norman E. Borlaug from Mexico to assess the feasibility of using semi-dwarf wheat varieties in India.
- Borlaug recommended the adoption of semi-dwarf wheat varieties of Mexican origin, such as Lerma Rajo and Sonora-64, which were well-suited to India’s agro-climatic conditions.
- These varieties revolutionized wheat production, resulting in significantly higher yields. Borlaug’s contributions to the Green Revolution earned him the Nobel Prize in 1970.
Use of Chemical Fertilizers and Pesticides:
- Chemical fertilizers, including nitrogenous, phosphate, and potassium fertilizers, played a crucial role in promoting plant growth and enhancing food production.
- Pesticides were also employed to control pests and unwanted organisms in agriculture, thereby safeguarding crop yields.
Mechanization of Agriculture:
- To address labor shortages and increase productivity on large agricultural tracts, farm mechanization became imperative.
- Various agricultural machines, such as ploughs, combine harvesters, cultivators, and tractors, were employed to streamline agricultural operations.
Irrigation:
- High-yielding varieties necessitated ample water supply, making irrigation facilities essential for the success of the Green Revolution.
- Different irrigation methods, including wells, canals, river lift systems, and tanks, were utilized to meet the water requirements of crops across different regions of India.
Overall, the Green Revolution marked a significant milestone in India’s agricultural history, leading to substantial improvements in food grain production and agricultural productivity.
SECOND GREEN REVOLUTION FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD
- The second Green Revolution aims to foster sustainable agriculture by harnessing technological advancements, building upon the foundation laid by the first Green Revolution, which primarily focused on ensuring food security amid severe scarcity.
- With the burgeoning population and increased pressure on land resources, sustaining food security remains a pressing concern.
- Despite the success of the initial Green Revolution in enhancing food grain production, significant challenges persist, particularly in rain-fed areas that contribute substantially to the nation’s total food-grain output.
Key Factors Necessitating a Second Green Revolution:
- Population Growth and Land Pressure: The escalating population and over-exploitation of land resources intensify the pressure on food security, necessitating sustainable agricultural practices.
- Rural Dependency on Agriculture: A significant portion of the population, particularly in rural areas, depends on agriculture for their livelihoods. Sustainable agricultural practices are essential to ensure the socio-economic well-being of rural communities.
- Limited Success in Rain-fed Areas: The first Green Revolution primarily benefited well-irrigated regions, leaving rain-fed areas largely untouched. Addressing the disparities in agricultural development across different geographical regions is crucial for equitable growth.
- Environmental Consequences of the First Green Revolution: While the first Green Revolution achieved self-sufficiency in food grains, it also brought about adverse environmental consequences, such as groundwater depletion, pollution, and ecological degradation, including eutrophication of lakes and ponds.
- Stagnant Growth in Agricultural Sector: Despite advancements in agricultural technology, the growth rate in the agricultural sector has remained stagnant, indicating the need for innovative approaches to boost productivity sustainably.
- Challenges Associated with GM Crops: Genetically modified (GM) crops, touted as a solution to agricultural challenges, are embroiled in controversies surrounding intellectual property rights, ecological impacts, and potential health risks, underscoring the need for careful evaluation and regulation.
- Impact of Global Warming: The looming threat of global warming poses risks to productive coastal lands due to rising sea levels, necessitating urgent measures to enhance agricultural productivity in the face of climate change.
- Developing a Sustainable Agricultural Strategy: Given the multifaceted challenges confronting the agricultural sector, there is an imperative to formulate and implement a comprehensive strategy to promote sustainable agricultural development in India. This strategy should encompass technological innovations, ecological conservation, equitable distribution of resources, and adaptive measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
BRINGING GREEN REVOLUTION TO NORTH EASTERN INDIA
- Bringing Green Revolution in Eastern India (BGREI) is a transformative initiative aimed at replicating the success of the Green Revolution in the north-western region of India to the eastern states, which have historically lagged behind in agricultural productivity.
- BGREI, launched as a flagship program under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), seeks to unlock the agricultural potential of eastern India, leveraging its abundant water resources.
Key Points about BGREI:
OBJECTIVE:
- The primary objective of BGREI is to enhance agricultural production in eastern India, particularly in states like Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, and eastern Uttar Pradesh (Purvanchal).
- It aims to address the constraints limiting the productivity of rice-based cropping systems prevalent in the region.
Program Announcement: BGREI was announced in the Union Budget of 2010-11, reflecting the government’s commitment to boosting agricultural productivity in the eastern states.
Focus Areas: BGREI focuses on harnessing the water potential of the region to maximize agriculture production. It emphasizes improving agronomy practices, water harvesting, conservation, and efficient water utilization to enhance yield per unit area of rice and wheat cultivation.
Promotion of Agricultural Technologies: The initiative promotes the adoption of recommended agricultural technologies tailored to the specific needs of eastern India, facilitating the dissemination of best practices among farmers.
Government Initiatives Supporting BGREI:
- Establishment of Research Institutions: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has established key research institutions to support BGREI objectives. These include the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, and the Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology in Ranchi, aimed at advancing agricultural research in the region.
- National Research Centre for Integrated Farming: The establishment of the National Research Centre for Integrated Farming in Motihari, Bihar, further strengthens research efforts focused on integrated farming systems tailored to the eastern region’s agricultural landscape.
By leveraging these initiatives and fostering collaboration between research institutions, policymakers, and farmers, BGREI aims to usher in a new era of agricultural prosperity in eastern India, unlocking its immense agricultural potential and contributing to national food security.
FAQs about India’s First Green Revolution:
1-What does the term “Green Revolution” signify in the context of Indian agriculture?
A: The term “Green Revolution” denotes a rapid increase in food grain production achieved through the adoption of high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds and modern agricultural practices.
2-What are the key components of the first Green Revolution in India?
A: The key components include the introduction of high-yielding variety seeds, utilization of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, mechanization of agriculture, and improvements in irrigation systems.
3-Who were the notable figures involved in the first Green Revolution in India?
A: MS Swaminathan, former Director General of ICAR, and Norman E. Borlaug, a renowned agricultural scientist, played pivotal roles in advocating for and implementing the Green Revolution in India.
4-How did the introduction of high-yielding variety seeds revolutionize agriculture in India?
A: High-yielding variety seeds, particularly of wheat and rice, significantly increased crop yields, leading to self-sufficiency in food grain production and enhanced agricultural productivity.
5-What were the environmental consequences of the first Green Revolution?
A: The intensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides resulted in groundwater depletion, soil pollution, and ecological degradation, posing long-term environmental challenges.
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