A green revolution feels like a very present day concept, born out of the needs stemming from climate change. In India, however, the Green Revolution was kick started in the 1960s and had a profound impact on India’s economy, food security, and agricultural practices. The Green Revolution was a series of initiatives aimed at increasing agricultural productivity through the adoption of modern farming techniques, new crop varieties, and improved irrigation methods.
In the years following India’s independence in 1947, the country faced chronic food shortages and periodic famines. The population was growing rapidly, and traditional farming methods could not keep up with the demand for food. In the 1960s high-yielding varieties (HYVs) of staple crops, primarily wheat and rice were introduced. These varieties were developed through modern agricultural techniques, including hybridization and genetic selection. The adoption of HYVs significantly increased crop yields, allowing farmers to produce more food per acre of land. This increase in productivity was crucial in addressing food shortages.
The Green Revolution also emphasized the importance of improving irrigation infrastructure, including the construction of dams, canals, and tube wells. This ensured a more reliable water supply for crops. The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides became widespread during this period and helped enhance crop growth and protect against pests and diseases.
The Green Revolution had a profound economic impact on India as well. It not only increased agricultural output but also brought about significant changes in the country’s economic landscape. The increased agricultural productivity contributed to overall economic growth. It provided a surplus of food, allowing India to reduce its dependence on food imports and in fact become a major exporter of certain crops.
As agriculture became more productive, it led to rural-to-urban migration as people sought employment opportunities in non-agricultural sectors. This migration contributed to the growth of urban centers and in turn growth in personal incomes.
The Revolution, however, was not long term in its vision. India is now suffering the legacy of choices made during that period. The intensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides have had significant environmental consequences, such as soil degradation and water pollution. The benefits of the Green Revolution were not evenly distributed. Large landowners, a legacy left over from the British zamindari system, and wealthier farmers often benefited more than smallholders, leading to increased income inequality.
Agricultural systems around the world are in dire need of updating as their use of pesticides and tilling techniques have witnessed soil degradation on an epic scale. This is in turn beginning to reduce crop yields and also, less discussed, the decline in nutritional value of crops. Soil degradation is very hard to reverse. It basically turns fertile land into desert. India faces additional challenges in that its farmers are, to a large extent, poor and do not have the means to think long term and invest in more sustainable approaches. Central government assistance is sorely needed. Not just in India but around the world.