Do You Believe that Green Revolution has Made India Self-sufficient in Food Grains?

The Green Revolution is regarded as one of the most important movements in agricultural history. The initiative, which got its start in the 1960s, sought to boost agricultural productivity and lessen food shortages in underdeveloped nations. One of the nations that have profited most from this movement is India.

Green Revolution

India Avoided Famines

Famines have been a recurring and tragic phenomenon in India’s history, often triggered by a lack of rainfall and droughts that heavily impact agriculture, which is the backbone of the country’s economy. Notable famines that have occurred in India include the Bengal Famine of 1943, the Chalisa Famine of 1783, the Great Bengal Famine of 1770, the Skull Famine of 1791, the Orissa Famine of 1866, the Deccan Famine of 1630, and the Bihar Famine of 1873, among others.

These famines caused widespread food scarcity and resulted in countless deaths throughout the country. Among the most devastating was the Great Bengal Famine of 1770, which claimed around 10 million lives, and the Skull Famine or Doji Bara famine, which caused an estimated 11 million deaths. The Chalisa Famine, which also led to roughly 11 million fatalities, was similarly catastrophic.

Production of Rice and Wheat Increased

The Green Revolution in India is extensively honored as a crucial turning point that drove the country towards tone-sufficient food grains, with rice and wheat being the focal point of this transformation. This agricultural revolution was caused by the introduction of novel, high-yielding crop varieties that were resistant to pests and conditions while producing higher yields than traditional crops. Farmers were urged to use diseases and fungicides to boost output, and new irrigation systems were built to help crops flourish in places with limited rainfall. Farmers received critical fiscal and specialized assistance from the government, while the private sector spent substantially on the investigation and development of new agricultural technology and provided critical marketing and distribution services.

The Green Revolution in India resulted in a significant increase in food grain output. India faced serious food scarcity in the mid-1960s, but by the mid-1970s, it was self-sufficient in food grains. The introduction of high-yielding crop types, such as wheat and rice created by scientists such as M. S. Swaminathan, was largely responsible for the growth in food production. These innovative cultivars required less water and had stronger pest and disease resistance than standard crop types.

As the Green Revolution increased food production, India profited in other ways as well. It decreased poverty, created agricultural jobs, and raised the standard of living for millions of people.

Wheat Revolution

In the mid-1960s, Dr. Norman Borlaug launched the Wheat Revolution, a component of the Green Revolution, by bringing high-yielding wheat cultivars to India. Crossbreeding was employed to establish these new wheat types, in which shops with favorable characteristics were crossed to create a new variety with superior traits. The new wheat types featured shorter stems, stronger stems, and larger grain heads, resulting in higher yields. The introduction of these new wheat varieties altered India’s agricultural environment, resulting in a significant increase in wheat products. Similarly, the Indian government supported the Green Revolution through colorful initiatives and businesses.

Variety of Crop Production in India

The introduction of high-yielding crop varieties was one of the Green Revolution’s most significant contributions. Hybridization was employed to cross multiple strains of current crops in order to develop new crop kinds that were resistant to pests, diseases, and environmental problems. These high-yielding cultivars yielded more grain per unit of land, but they also required more water and nutrients than traditional kinds.

The utilization of irrigation facilities like canals and tube wells to feed crops with water year-round rather than relying primarily on seasonal rainfall was one of the agricultural advances that defined the Green Revolution. Also, to control pests and illnesses and increase crop yields, chemical pesticides, and fertilizers were applied.

In addition to numerous fruits and vegetables like mangoes, bananas, tomatoes, and potatoes, India has established itself as a prominent producer of a wide variety of crops, including rice, wheat, maize, pulses, oilseeds, sugarcane, cotton, and jute.

Public Distribution System

The Public Distribution System‘s introduction was one of the primary causes of the Green Revolution’s success (PDS). A government-sponsored food distribution program called the PDS was started in the 1960s to help the needy and weaker members of society. The initiative gives the needy and impoverished subsidized food grains like rice and wheat.

The PDS has been crucial in guaranteeing India’s food security. Giving farmers a guaranteed market has helped to ensure that food reaches the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in society and has stabilized food prices. Also, the PDS has assisted in preventing food shortages during droughts and other natural calamities.

FAQs On Impact of Green Revolution In India

Q 1. How did the Green Revolution impact India’s food production?  

Answer-

The Green Revolution made over India’s farming geography by introducing high-yielding crops kinds that were resistant to pests and environmental conditions. The new crops,  similar to wheat and rice, produced advanced yields, performing in tone-  adequacy in food grains. The preface of new farming technology, irrigation systems, and government backing helped to increase food products in India significantly.   

Q 2. How did the Public Distribution System help India in avoiding deaths?  

Answer-

The Public Distribution System( PDS) was initiated in the 1960s to give subsidized food grains like rice and wheat to the needful and weaker members of society. It has played a vital part in ensuring food security in India by stabilizing food prices, providing a guaranteed request for growers, and helping to prevent food droughts during natural disasters like famines.   

Q 3. What were the most significant benefits of the Wheat Revolution to India’s agricultural sector?  

Answer-

The Wheat Revolution, which was part of the Green Revolution, introduced high-yielding wheat kinds that were resistant to pests and environmental conditions. Crossbreeding was used to produce these new kinds of wheat, performed in shorter shops with stronger stems and larger grain heads. This resulted in increased wheat production in India and paved the way for the Green Revolution’s success.