Green Revolution: Meaning, Features, Impact of Green Revolution in India

What is the Green Revolution?

The Green Revolution refers to a period of significant agricultural advancements that occurred during the mid-20th century, primarily between the 1940s and the late 1960s. It was a global effort to increase agricultural productivity and tackle food shortages in developing countries, particularly in Asia, Latin America, and Africa.

There was a desperate need to shift the focus from expanding the farming areas, as our government had been doing, to developing the agricultural sector. This was because there was a population boom which left food production behind. There was a need for immediate action to increase the total yield. This was fixed by the introduction of the Green Revolution in India.

Define Green Revolution

Green revolution refers to the practice of developing high-yielding plant varieties that increase the food supply and meet the growing demand. It began as a series of research and development efforts in the 1940s, aimed at increasing agricultural production in developing countries. With the help of modern agronomic practices and chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, scientists were able to significantly increase crop production and productivity.

Although the green revolution was focused on alleviating poverty and food scarcity, it also had significant environmental impacts as it did not always use sustainable methods.

Highlights of Green Revolution in India
Year	1965
Green Revolution in Which Five Year Plan	Third Five Year Plan
Started by	M.S. Swaminathan
Father of Green Revolution	Norman Borlaug
Father of Green Revolution in India	M.S. Swaminathan
The Term Green Revolution Was First Used By	William Gaud

Green Revolution in India

In the 1960s and 1970s, there was a dire need for increased agricultural production in India. As a result, the green revolution in India was introduced. It was characterised by the adoption of new technologies, such as high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilizers, and irrigation facilities, which helped to increase crop yields. Thus, the Green Revolution is credited with helping increase food production, reduce poverty, and boost the country’s economy.

• What are 5 Advantages and Disadvantages of Green Revolution?
• What is Green Revolution? Why was it Implemented, and how did it Benefit the Farmers?
• Explain the ill Effects of the Green Revolution

The government of India launched the initiative with the help of a geneticist and met the conditions of food deficiency to become one of the leading agricultural nations worldwide. The states that benefited the most from the movement were Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. Keep reading to learn about the green revolution in India in detail.

Father of Green Revolution in India

The title of the Father of Green Revolution in India is given to M.S Swaminathan, an Indian scientist and agricultural economist. He played a key role in introducing new technologies, such as high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds, to Indian farmers to improve the production and productivity of the crops. He was a strong advocate for the use of science and technology to improve agricultural productivity and reduce poverty. Hence, he is also credited as the architect of the Green Revolution in India.

Through his efforts, Swaminathan changed the status of India from a food-deficient economy to one of the biggest exporters and producers of agricultural products in the world. Hence, it was a major milestone for the country and its farmers.

Objectives of the Green Revolution

The concept of the Green revolution was introduced in India for a few major reasons. Here are the main objectives of the revolution to provide more insight.

• To increase food production: The Green Revolution aimed to increase crop yields through the use of new technologies, such as high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds and chemical fertilizers.
• To boost the economy: By increasing food production, the movement aimed to boost the Indian economy and create new employment opportunities in rural areas.
• To reduce poverty: The Green Revolution aimed to improve the standard of living for farmers by increasing their incomes and reducing poverty.
• To create employment opportunities: Lastly, the Green Revolution in India aimed to create employment opportunities in rural areas, particularly in agriculture and related industries.

Features of Green Revolution

The Green Revolution was indeed a milestone for the Indian agriculture sector and economy at large. It can be characterised by the following features:

• The Green Revolution introduced new varieties of seeds that were higher-yielding, and disease-resistant, to increase crop yields.
• The movement also involved the widespread use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to improve soil fertility and protect crops from pests and diseases.
• One significant feature of the Green Revolution in India was an increase in the use of tractors and other modern tools that helped reduce manual labour and increased efficiency.
• The revolution emphasised irrigation, with the construction of new dams, canals, and wells to increase the availability of water for agriculture.
• The Green Revolution in India was based on scientific research and development, with a focus on improving crop yields and reducing losses from pests and diseases.

Impact of Green Revolution in India

The Green Revolution had both positive and negative impacts on the agriculture sector in India. Some of the most significant impacts include the following:

• Significant increase in food production, particularly in wheat and rice, which helped to improve food security and reduce hunger.
• The movement helped to raise the incomes of farmers in India and improve their standard of living.
• The Green Revolution helped boost the Indian economy, with increased agricultural production contributing to economic growth. It also helped reduce poverty to an extent, particularly in rural areas.
• It introduced new technology in agriculture, with new seed varieties, chemical inputs, and machinery helping to increase efficiency and crop productivity.
• However, the Green revolution in India also promoted the widespread use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which led to soil degradation, and a reduction in soil fertility and quality.
• The movement also led to a reliance on chemical inputs, which has raised concerns about the long-term sustainability of agriculture and the environment.

Advantages of Green Revolution

There is no doubt that the Green revolution has been a turning point for the Indian agricultural sector. The movement impacted the country in several ways that were not just limited to increased food production. Listed below are some of the advantages of the revolution.

• Increased food production: The Green Revolution led to a considerable increase in food production, which helped in improving food security in India.
• Boosted economy: The movement helped to boost the Indian economy, with increased agricultural production contributing to economic growth.
• Reduced poverty: The Green Revolution in India contributed to a reduction in poverty, particularly in rural areas. Hence, it helped improve the standard of living for farmers.
• Increased employment opportunities: The revolution created new employment opportunities in agriculture and related industries, which helped tackle unemployment.
• Self-sufficiency: The Green Revolution helped India to become more self-sufficient in food production, reducing the country’s dependence on other countries for food.

Disadvantages of Green Revolution

Like most things in the world, the Green revolution had both pros and cons attached to it. While it had provided the country with numerous benefits, there were some undeniable drawbacks, such as:

• Soil degradation: The widespread use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides led to soil degradation, reducing soil fertility and quality.
• Environmental degradation: The increased use of pesticides and fertilizers has led to environmental degradation, with the contamination of groundwater and other water sources.
• Dependence on chemicals: The Green Revolution led to an unrestrained reliance on chemical inputs, which has raised concerns about the long-term sustainability of agriculture and the environment.
• Limited scope of HYV: Since only a few crops could be grown with the use of High yielding variety technology, there was only a limited scope that did not help all farmers.
• Water scarcity: Since the practices under this movement laid more emphasis on irrigation, it led to water scarcity in some regions and increased competition for water resources.

Green Revolution UPSC

Green Revolution is a topic of great importance in the Indian context and hence, becomes important from the perspective of the UPSC exam. Green Revolution was an important step in developing the country’s agricultural policies, and it also kickstarted several reforms, making it a very relevant topic in the UPSC Syllabus.

Green Revolution in India UPSC Questions

Q1: Which period is associated with the Green Revolution in India? – (a) 1920s-1930s, (b) 1940s-1960s, (c) 1970s-1990s, (d) 2000s-present

Answer: b) 1940s-1960s

Q2: Which crop played a crucial role in the success of the Green Revolution in India? – (a) Wheat, (b) Rice, (c) Maize, (d) Millet

Answer: a) Wheat

Q3: The Green Revolution in India aimed to address which of the following issues? – (a) Poverty alleviation, (b) Food security, (c) Rural development, (d) All of the above

Answer: d) All of the above

Q4: Which organization played a significant role in promoting the Green Revolution in India? – (a) World Bank, (b) United Nations, (c) Rockefeller Foundation, (d) Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Answer: c) Rockefeller Foundation

Q5: Which state in India was the first to experience the benefits of the Green Revolution? – (a) Punjab, (b) Uttar Pradesh, (c) Haryana, (d) Tamil Nadu

Answer: a) Punjab

Important UPSC Notes:
Biodiversity Hotspots in India	Rani Lakshmi Bai
Powers and Functions of President of India	Facts about Indian Flag
Coastline in India	Russia Ukraine War Conflict Summary
Right to Equality	Quit India Movement
Panchayati Raj System	Battle of Plassey
Communalism	Vedas
Basic Structure of Constitution	Rowlatt Act