Question.
What do you mean by the Green revolution? Illustrate the merits and demerits of the Green revolution in India. ( UPPSC, 2020, 15 Marks)
Discuss the results of the Green Revolution in India. ( 65th BPSC Geography)
Answer.
During the 1960s-70s in India, by using high-yielding seeds, fertilizers, and improved irrigation facilities, the yield of various crops, mainly wheat and paddy, was increased, this phenomenon is known as the Green Revolution.
Merits of Green Revolution:
- The Green Revolution saved millions of lives from hunger by increasing the yield.
- The economic condition of the farmers improved with the Green Revolution.
- The Green Revolution took India away from the risk of importing food grains and dependence on other countries.
- India became self-sufficient in some food grains such as wheat and rice.
Demerits of Green Revolution:
Ecological consequences:- The intensive use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and insecticides is polluting the soil and water and reducing the productivity of the soil.
- Intensive use of irrigation in the cultivation of paddy and wheat in rain shadow areas leads to over-exploitation of groundwater; As a result, it lowers the groundwater level and increases desertification.
- The monocropping practice has reduced the quality of the soil.
- The Green Revolution increases the cost of farming and it increases economic stress for the farmer due to crop failure and market uncertainty.
- Initially, the Green Revolution was limited to irrigated areas such as Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu; these areas benefited from the Green Revolution and other areas did not benefit from the Green Revolution; As a result, regional inequality has increased.
- Large farmers benefited the most from the Green Revolution and poor farmers were deprived of benefits; As a result, it further increased inequality in society.
- The demand for labor in rural areas decreased due to the high use of technology like tractors, and insecticides; As a result, rural-to-urban migration increased.
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