Essay on Green Revolution: The beginning of the 1960’s witnessed enormous growth in food production in India, particularly in northern regions like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. New varieties of high-yielding crops increased with innovation in technology, better seeds, irrigation practices, and farm pesticides. A massive record of 131 million tons output was gained during this period, referred to as the Green Revolution. Mrs. Indira Gandhi’s consistent efforts and the Indian National Congress Party-led to this revolution.
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Green Revolution Essay
“Food is the moral right of all who are born into this world.” – Norman Borlaug
The Green Revolution took place in the 1950’s and 1960’s. It was extremely popular in developing countries, including India. It is said to be founded by the administrator, M. S. Swaminathan. The Green Revolution changed the way agriculture was carried out and practised. It made farming an industry. There was the introduction of High Yielding Variety seeds, irrigation facilities, tractors, fertilizers and other forms of mechanization.
The areas that benefited the most and produced the highest agricultural crop of rice and wheat in India included Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Because of the green revolution, the country had an abundant amount of food grains and did not have to depend on imports from other countries anymore.
Essential Components of the Green Revolution
High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds were considered the single most prominent contribution of the green revolution. These seeds were highly responsive to chemical fertilizers and grew at the double speed. Their leaves were much more expansive, thus enhancing the process of photosynthesis. They could resist wind damage, and the maturing cycle for the crops was significantly shortened.
Because of the irregular and unseasonal rainfall nature in India, a system of proper irrigation became very vital for farmers. The importance of groundwater rather than surface water was emphasized. Groundwater was made available at all times to a farmer by the use of a pump or a tube well. Other significant contributions to the green revolution include insecticides and pesticides, rural electrification, agricultural universities, etc.
Impact of the Green Revolution
Due to the green revolution, India doubled its crop production. Wheat was the only crop that tripled in its production. The green revolution is also regarded as grain revolution and wheat revolution in India. Because of such mass production, farmers could reap the profits of commercialization, and they became prosperous with increased earnings. India became self-sufficient in food grains and not only had it stopped importing, but it had also become eligible for export.
Even after the population increased, the country’s per capita net availability remained appropriate. Due to farming at such a large scale with various specialised inputs, new industries could flourish. Newer industries and factories were set up to meet the increasing demand for insecticides, weedicides, chemical fertilizers, etc. There was a fear in people that the jobs of labour would be cut due to the shift to mechanization, but instead, the green revolution made it possible for more than 15 lakh Indians to get job opportunities because of the multiple cropping patterns.
The green revolution made it possible to keep the economy’s food prices low. The demand and supply phenomenon generally controls prices for a particular good in a nation. Because the stock with the help of HYV seeds was always so high, there was abundant food available for everyone, so prices remained low.
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