Green – Revolution in India-भारत में हरित क्रांति

Green revolution means the sudden & revolutionary changes in agriculture which has produce structural changes in agriculture .In India, it began as a pilot project in 1960-61. Later on  it was introduced in India in 1966-67 from the Kharif season.

Reasons for Green Revolution –

1. To achieve self reliance in food grains as per target of 3^rd  five year plan.
2. As an effect of Indo-pak war, America stopped the PL-480 aid to India( it provided free food grains to our country). As a result there was a condition of starvation.
3. The dwarf & semi-dwarf varieties of wheat invevted by Dr borlaugewere suitable for Indian climate.Dr. Norman borlaug American agronomist,humanitarian, and Nobel laureate who has been called "the father of the Green

Revolution". Borlaug was one of six people to have won the Nobel Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and theCongressional Gold Medal. He was awarded thePadma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian honor.He was associated with  Mexican Ministry of Agriculture, involved research in genetics, plant breeding, plant pathology, entomology, agronomy, soil science, and cereal technology.

Following 5 crops were targeted in Green revolution wheat, Rice, Jowar, Bajra, Maize.:-

1.High yielding variety of seeds    

2. Irrigation        

3. Fertilizers      

4. Pesticides

The mechanization of agriculture was not targeted but it happned with Green revolution.

Effects of Green Revolution:-

1. Promotion of Food grains, specially wheat, & currently our food-grains production is 310 million tonns.
2. Change in attitude of farmer – Previously agriculture was s means of subsistance & after revolution it became market oriented.
3. The credit needs of farmer increased because of costlier agriculture – input.
4. In Areas with good irrigation facility, the Green Revolution was successful.
5. Economic empowerment of farmers.
6. There is growing influence of O.B.C. Mandalization of politics, finally conferring of 27% reservation to O.B.C

    Shortcomings:-

1. Limited to few crops, eg. wheat, rice. Its impact was not seen in other crops. There is enhancement of crop related disparity.
2. Enhancement of regional disparities. Punjab, Haryana, U.P. became stronger in comparision with other states.
3. Enhancement in personal disparity. Advantage to only big farmers, small & marginal farmers.
4. Environmental degradation – Chemical fertilizers, pesticides, decreased bio-diversity.
5. Reduction of labour absorption because of agro-techniques.

Second Green Revolution:

Rapid improvement in the productivity of diverse crops which is environmentally sustainable and promotes balanced regional growth. The Second Green Revolution is a change in agricultural production widely thought necessary to feed and sustain the growing population on Earth.

It is thought that genetic engineering of new crops and foods will take the lead in producing increased crop yield and nutrition. Fodgrains, pulses, oil seeds, dairying and poultry, horticultural crops, and vegetables need to be enhanced; and forward-backward linkages of agriculture with technology, food processing industry needs to be strengthened.

The change in a farmer’s mindset is also utmost necessary e.g. grain production to food processing and marketing.

It will require new technologies and better farming practices. In this endeavour, marginal and small farmers and raising agricultural productivity in dry areas need special attention without compromising on preserving soil and water resources.                                                               

Agriculture 1.0, Agriculture 2.0, Agriculture 3.0

-Agriculture 1.0 describes agriculture from ancient times to about 1920, when farming was essentially a lot of manual labor.

The period of industrial agriculture – agriculture 2.0, from 1920 to 2010 – is where machines, fertilizers, and better seeds helped farmers produce more with less effort.

-Now we’ve entered the new age, agriculture 3.0. This is the time when high-tech sensors, cloud computing, specialized software, and the Internet of Things are being integrated into farming. In this new age of agriculture, data becomes crucial. The data gathered will be used to help farmers make more efficient use of their land, water, and fertilizer. Of course, much of the data gathering will be done by agricultural drones, satellites, and “smart” farm equipment.