In popular parlance, Green Revolution is a phenomenon that catapulted India's image from a chronically food-short country, with begging bowl image to one which was self-sufficient and which become overtime even surplus in food.
Green Revolution was started by Mrs. Gandhi in the mid-1960s, however, the seeds were already sown by Pandit Nehru and Mr. Shastri.
According to GS Bhalla Nehru was aware of Agricultural development in meeting his dream of rapid industrialization, therefore in First Five Year Plan he equipped 31% of total agricultural area with the facilities of irrigation
He also given the practical shape to land reforms in order to increase agricultural productivity. He stated massive irrigation and power project like Bhakra Nangal Dam and Mettur Dam, he also established Agricultural Universities, Research Laboratories, and Fertilizers plants.
In Third FYP Intensive Agricultural District Programme (IADP) was started in 15 District of 15 States.
CAUSES/FACTORS/NEED OF GREEN REVOLUTION
Food Security:- Every country wants to ensure its food security, thus India was no exception, however, India failed to produce the number of food grains that was needed to ensure our food security. Thus Green Revolution was important for India.
Growth of Population:- With the growth of Population the demand for food increased, thus in order to meet the demand for food the productivity was needed to be increased, thus a Green Revolution was needed. Population Growth Rate was 2.2% per annum after independence compared to 1% per annum growth for the last 50 years.
To Check inflation:- In the mid-1950s, the demand was increased but supply was less, thus the inflation increased which led to poverty in poor countries. The inflation rate between 1965-68 was 20% per annum.
Reduce dependency on other countries:- America through her PL-480 scheme started giving food grains mainly wheat to India at subsidized rates from 1956. In 1956 3 Million tonnes of food grains were imported, which reached more than 4.5 million tonnes in 1963 and ultimately reached to 10 million tonnes in 1966.
To tackle the situation like wars and drought:- In 1962 India fought the war with China and in 1965 a war with Pakistan. India also faced a massive drought in 1965- 1966 in which agricultural output was fallen by 17%, thus in such a situation, there was a scarcity of food and buffer stock was needed, So the Indian Government went for Green Revolution.
Need for economic growth:- Green Revolution was also needed for the economic growth of India, the food surplus would have resulted in exports, which has reduced the trade deficit and would have been led to an increase in GDP.
INPUTS OF GREEN REVOLUTION
HYV seeds which was Mexican wheat seed, proved to be timely scientific break though and its suitability to Indian Condition.
Chemical Fertilizers
Pesticide Agricultural Machinery including, tractors, Pump sets etc.
Institutional Credits, Nationalization of banks, the institutional credits were doubled between in 1968 to 1973. Agricultural Price Commission- 1965 for a fair price to farmers.
Food Corporation of India-1965.
POSITIVE IMPACTS OF GREEN REVOLUTION
Increase in Agricultural Production:- As the result of the Green Revolution, the food production between 1967-68 and 1970-71 the food production rose by 35%. Between 1964-65 and 1971-72 aggregate food production increased from 89 to 112 Million tonnes, calculated to be 10% per capita increase. And in 1984 it reached 184 million tonnes.
The prosperity of Farmers:-- Earning of farmers increased with the increase in food production, now they had good living standards and access to health and education.
Reduction in imports of food grains:- The total import of food grains was 10 Million tonnes in 1966 which reduced to 3.6 million tonnes in 1970 and by 1984 India became a self-sufficient country which ended India's bowl begging image. In fact, India has a food surplus and buffer stock of 30 Million tonnes and India became an expoitems.
Dispersal of Rice and Wheat cultivation to non-traditional areas:- Before Green Revolution Wheat was predominantly produced in Punjab, Haryana and western UP and rice was predominantly produced in eastern UP, MP and RJ, and in the South Indian States. However, rice cultivation started in semi arid areas of PB, HR and western UP and wheat cultivation has spread to the eastern UP, MP, RJ and in the South Indian States.
Industrial Growth:- Due to the large scale mechanization of agriculture by the Green Revolution, the demand for different machines like tractors, harvesters and combines etc. increased also the demand for fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides etc. increased rapidly which resulted in industrial growth of these items
Increase in employment:- with the growth of the Green Revolution, employment increased in industries as well as in villages. Decrease in Inflation, ability to tackle emergency situations, etc.
NAGETIVE IMPACTS OF GREEN REVOLUTION
Intercrop disparities: Green Revolution promoted monoculture of some remunerative species and it is wheat that has benefitted most and sometimes people due to this reason, term Green Revolution as wheat revolution. Coarse cereals, pulses, and oilseeds were not given importance. At the same time, major commercial crops like cotton, jute, sugarcane, tea are also almost untouched by it.
Regional Disparities:- Green Revolution was not Pan- Indian event, it only touch 40% of the total crop area and 60% was untouched by it, In north India PB, HR and Western UP was benefitted the most, while in the south it was limited to Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu
Rise in Interpersonal disparities:- There were big as well as small farmers and Green Revolution mostly benefitted big farmers who had more than 10 hectares of land, they had more money to buy better seeds, fertilizers and other required inputs. Thus, it made the rich richer and left the poor poorer. Which resulted in widespread social and economic exploitation.
Unemployment:- On one hand Green Revolution created employment in industries and in PB and HR but on the other hand, it promoted unemployment in the rest of the areas as it promoted mechanization.
Deforestation:- Green Revolution led to the cutting down of the trees, PB and HR was the heartland of Green Revolution and these states have left with 3% of forest area. And in UP the forest cover was just around 5%.
Depletion of underground water:- Green Revolution promoted over-irrigation, the overuse of groundwater led to the depletion of underground water.
Environmental Pollution:- Green Revolution led to land and water pollution, the overuse of fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides led to land pollution and during the rainy season these mixed with rainwater and ultimately went into water sources like rivers and ponds and in this way led to water pollution.
It also led to ecological problems like soil salinity, alkalinity, waterlogging, desertification and soil erosion.
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