The Green Revolution refers to the large-scale transformation of Indian agriculture starting in the mid-1960s, characterized by the transition from traditional subsistence farming to industrial, high-productivity agriculture. It was necessitated by the “ship-to-mouth” existence of the early 1960s, where India relied heavily on food aid under the US PL-480 program.
Historical Genesis and Key Architects
The revolution was a result of international collaboration and domestic political will to achieve “Atmanirbharta” (self-reliance) in food grains.
- Norman Borlaug: The American agronomist and Nobel Laureate who developed High-Yielding Varieties (HYV) of wheat in Mexico.
- M.S. Swaminathan: Known as the “Father of the Green Revolution in India,” he adapted Borlaug’s Mexican wheat varieties to suit Indian soil and climatic conditions.
- C. Subramaniam: As the Union Minister for Food and Agriculture, he provided the political and administrative impetus for adopting new technologies despite initial skepticism.
The Strategy: The New Agricultural Strategy (NAS)
The Green Revolution was implemented through the “New Agricultural Strategy,” which replaced the earlier “community development” approach with a “selective area” approach.
- Intensive Agriculture District Programme (IADP): Launched in 1960-61, it focused on districts with assured irrigation to maximize output.
- High-Yielding Varieties (HYV) Programme: Launched in 1966, this was the technological core of the revolution, focusing on Wheat, Rice, Jute, Maize, and Bajra.
- The Golden Trio of Inputs: The success relied on the simultaneous application of HYV seeds, chemical fertilizers, and assured irrigation.
Core Components of the Green Revolution
The revolution was not just about seeds; it was a comprehensive technological package.
- HYV Seeds: These were “miracle seeds” with a shorter gestation period and higher productivity per acre.
- Chemical Fertilizers and Pesticides: The shift from organic manure to NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium) fertilizers was mandatory for HYV seeds.
- Irrigation Infrastructure: Since HYV seeds required a constant and regulated water supply, massive investments were made in tube wells and canal systems.
- Mechanization: The use of tractors, harvesters, and pumping sets increased to handle the higher volume of crops and shorter turnover times.
- Agricultural Credit: Expansion of institutional credit through cooperatives and later, nationalized banks, to help farmers purchase expensive inputs.
Phase-wise Implementation
The Green Revolution was rolled out in two distinct phases to manage resources effectively.
| Phase | Period | Regional Focus | Crop Focus |
| Phase I | Mid-1960s to Mid-1970s | Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh. | Primarily Wheat (referred to as the “Wheat Revolution”). |
| Phase II | Mid-1970s to Mid-1980s | Expanded to Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and parts of Bihar/Odisha. | Included Rice and other crops like Bajra and Maize. |
Economic and Social Impacts
The Green Revolution fundamentally altered the socio-economic fabric of rural India.
- Increase in Food Production: India became self-sufficient in food grains by the late 1970s. Wheat production, specifically, saw a spectacular jump from 12 million tonnes in 1964 to 17 million tonnes in 1968.
- Buffer Stocks and Food Security: It enabled the creation of the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to maintain buffer stocks, facilitating the Public Distribution System (PDS).
- Marketable Surplus: For the first time, Indian farmers had a significant “surplus” to sell in the market after meeting domestic consumption, boosting rural incomes.
- Industrial Linkages: Demand for tractors, diesel engines, and fertilizers spurred growth in the manufacturing sector.
Limitations and Criticisms
While successful in achieving food security, the Green Revolution faced criticism for its uneven distribution and environmental costs.
- Regional Disparities: The benefits were largely confined to the Northwest, leaving the Eastern and Southern regions (initially) lagging.
- Inter-personal Inequalities: Since the “package” was expensive, large-scale farmers benefited more than small and marginal farmers, widening the rural wealth gap.
- Ecological Degradation: Excessive use of chemical fertilizers led to soil salinity, and over-extraction of groundwater caused the water table to deplete alarmingly in Punjab and Haryana.
- Mono-cropping: The focus on Wheat and Rice led to the neglect of pulses, oilseeds, and coarse cereals (millets), impacting nutritional security.
Trivia and Key Facts for UPSC Prelims
- PL-480 (Public Law 480): The US law under which “Food for Peace” was sent to India before the Green Revolution.
- International Rice Research Institute (IRRI): Located in the Philippines, it provided the IR-8 “Miracle Rice” variety.
- International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT): Located in Mexico, it was the source of the semi-dwarf wheat varieties.
- The First Agricultural University: Established in 1960 at Pantnagar (now in Uttarakhand), it played a crucial role in research and extension.
- The Evergreen Revolution: A term coined by M.S. Swaminathan to advocate for productivity improvement in perpetuity without ecological harm.