ASIAN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Assignment 1

Name of Assignment: Green Revolution

Subject Name: Environmental Studies

Subject Code: 008

Semester I

Submitted to: Poornima Singh

Submitted by: NAMAN KANSAL

Batch: 2020-23
 ARTICLE

Green Revolution
Began in the 1960s, Green Revolution played a significant role in making India self-sufficient in
food production. Earlier dependent on food imports to feed the huge population, the country started
exporting food grains in 1982. In this remarkable journey, Punjab and Haryana played a major role
and became food basket of the country.
The efforts made during Green Revolution brought a quantum jump in the food production in
Haryana. The average current rice production in the State is 3,256 kg per hectare, higher than the
national average of 2,416 kg per hectare.
Similarly, wheat production in the State stands at 4,722 kg per hectare as compared to the national
average of 3,145 kg per hectare.
In a desperation to take the country out of the foot-in-the-mouth situation, sustainable management
of natural resources such as soil and water left behind.
Consequently, over the decades, after excessive exploitation of groundwater and non-judicious
application of chemical fertilisers and pesticides have harmed the water availability and soil health
alarmingly. It has further deteriorated the food quality and affected the health of farmers,
consumers and environment.
The degradation in soil fertility and depletion of groundwater have now pushed the policymakers
and agriculture scientists to come up with new and innovative ways of farming with sustainable
management of natural resources.

Depleting Natural Resources

According to a study, ‘Haryana - Developing Sustainable Agricultural Value Chain’, jointly
conducted by Ascham, NABARD and Creative Agri Solution, water table in Haryana is depleting
0.33 meter every year.
Commenting on this situation, Om Prakash Danker, Minister of Agriculture, Haryana, says,
“Since the beginning of Green Revolution, we have been exploiting underground water more than
the water we get from rain. We consume one crore acre feet of ground water every year while only
60 lakh acre feet water gets recharged in a situation of normal monsoon. Thus, there’s gap of 40
lakh acre feet every year. The groundwater is like a bank balance, we can extract the amount only
which we recharge. Otherwise, it would be finished. The water table is depleting 0.33 meters every
year.”
According to the study, besides water table depletion, 3,766 square km area in the State is underlain
by groundwater, 24 per cent of well have fluoride levels outside the maximum permissible level
of 0.05 mg per litre. In 2012-13, Haryana’s total fertiliser consumption was 207.56 kg per hectare,
next to only Punjab’s 250.19 kg per hectare.
The market dynamics favour large scale cultivation of water intensive crop paddy (rice).
According to Ashok Gulati, former Chairman, Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices
(CACP), to produce one kg rice in Punjab, the farmers have to consume approximately 5,000 litres
of water while it is 3,000 litre in West Bengal and Assam. If we are exporting rice, we are actually
exporting quantum of water.
When asked about the crop diversification from water intensive paddy in a water deficient State,
the agriculture minister says, “Until farmers do not get better prices for other crops, we cannot ask
them for crop diversification. But yes, we are working on the varieties which can consume lesser
water.”
Around 50 per cent of the total geographical area of the State is severely affected with the problems
of soil erosion, alkalinity, salinity and water logging.
The cost of production has increased as more and more inputs are required to maintain
productivity. Farmers have done additional investments in irrigation due to the declining water
table. These issues are making it difficult to remain agriculture economically viable for the farmers.

Intervention needed
Despite the fact, agriculture is no longer remunerative for the farmers, it is the backbone the State’s
economy and for the 25 million people of Haryana.

Thus, there is a need to think beyond with a prime focus on sustainable management of soil and
water along with the complications of climate change.
There is a need to evolve integrated value chain from farm to fork. There should be focus on food
quality too. Higher usage of agro chemicals certainly harms the health of the farmers as well as
consumers. Thus, there is a need to give special focus on these three aspects.
Water and soil management are crucial for agriculture sector. Rather than pouring excessive
chemical fertilisers for higher yield, there should be soil testing labs accessible to each and every
farmer. And then, fertilisers can be recommended as per the need of the crop.
The Agriculture Minister of Haryana himself admits that 35 year old canals system is leaking out
one third of water meant for irrigation. Thus, the Manohar Lal Katter Government which has four
more years should come out with innovative technologies which can minimise the wastage of
water.
Further, the Government needs to diversify the crop pattern from high water consuming rice to
lesser water intensive crops. The cash crops such as fruits and vegetables can be good options for
better water management through micro irrigation system. It would not happen overnight.
Convincing farmers would be a challenging job. The government will have to find the change
agents within the farming community. Gram Panchayats, self-help-groups and progressive farmers
can help achieve the goals. Farmers are already facing challenge of water scarcity. Thus, over a
period of time with concentrated efforts, they would understand and will bring diversification to
their fields.
Value Chain
Though the food grain production has seen a quantum jump, India still needs to evolve the
sustainable post-harvest management system. There have been issues with minimum support price
(MSP) as agriculture experts have been alleging that MSP could not keep pace with the increasing
agricultural cost. The MSP, meant for if the farmers do not get good prices in the market, their
produce would be procured by public as well as private sector agencies in a minimum support
price.
However, over a period of time, the minimum support price turned to be the maximum price paid
to the farmers. Further, there have been reports of distress sales.
To make the agricultural practices sustainable for the farmers, these kinds of situations must be
controlled. Citing an example of sugarcane value chain, the Minister says, “Sugar mills are on the
top of the sugar value chain while farmers are at the bottom. Thus, sugar mills should think of the
benefits of the farmers as well. If farmers’ benefits are not taken care of, they won’t be able to
produce cane which would further hit the benefits of the millers. Similarly, the benefits of people
sitting at the bottom of every value chain have to be taken care by the people sitting on the top of
the value chain. Everywhere the government cannot come to rescue the farmers.”
To strengthen the agricultural value chain, the State government has taken a few measures. In the
first phase with the assistance of National Horticulture Mission, Haryana is going to establish cold
chains, ripening chambers, grading, sorting and packaging facilities at 11 locations. The Minister
emphasises on setting up agro processing units at the villages which can be created as local brands.
Having played a lead role in the Green Revolution, the State has potential to lead the country in
developing sustainable agricultural value chains meeting the quality requirements of the
international markets. The State can emerge as the leader in adopting climate smart agriculture. It
can emerge as the leading State for exports of high value agriculture focusing on horticulture, dairy
products, mushroom along with other crops using protected cultivation.
 MATTERS OF DISCUSSION

List effects of Green Revolution.

Green Revolution
Green Revolution is also known as the Third Agricultural Revolution. It is the set of research
technology transfer initiatives occurring between 1950 and the late 1960s that increased
agricultural production worldwide, beginning most markedly in the late 1960s.

1. Increase in Production and Productivity

As a result of new agricultural strategy, food grains output substantially increased from 81.0
million tonnes in the Third Plan (annual average) to 203 million tons in the Ninth Plan (annual
average) and further to 212. 0 million tonnes in 2003-04. HYVP was restricted to only five crops
– wheat, rice jowar, bajra and maize. Therefore, non- food grains were excluded from the ambit of
the new strategy.
2. Scientific Cultivation
A very important effect of Green Revolution is that traditional agricultural inputs and practices
have given way to new and scientific practices. Instead of farm seeds, farmers are now using HYV
seeds. Traditional fertilizers are replaced by chemical fertilizers. Consequently under HYV seeds
increased sharply from 1.66 million hectares in 1966-67 (when green revolution came to India) to
about 78.4 million hectares in 1998-99.

3. Change in Cropping Pattern

Two changes are significant. First, the proportion of cereals in the food grains output has increased
and the proportion of pulses has declined. Second, the proportion of wheat cereals has increased
while that of coarse grains has declined.

4. Development of Industries
Green revolution has benefited the industrial development. Many industries producing agriculture,
machinery, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides etc., have come up to meet the growing
demand for these commodities.

5. Change in Attitudes
A healthy contribution of green revolution is the change in the attitudes of farmers. Our farmers
have now begun to think that they can change their misfortunes by adopting new technology.
Unlike past, they are now giving up traditional agricultural practices for scientific practices.

Briefly describe the three basic elements of the Green Revolution in India.

Green Revolution in India

It refers to a period in India when agriculture was converted into an industrial system due to the
adoption of modern methods and technology, such as the use of high yielding variety (HYV) seeds,
tractors, irrigation facilities, pesticides, and fertilizers.

Three basic elements of the Green Revolution in India are:

A. Continued expansion of farming areas

The area of land under cultivation was being increased right from 1947. But this was not enough
in meeting with rising demand. Other methods were required. Yet, the expansion of cultivable
land also had to continue. So, the Green Revolution continued with this quantitative expansion of
farmlands. However, this is NOT the most striking feature of the Revolution.

B. Double-cropping existing farmland

Double-cropping was a primary feature of the Green Revolution. Instead of one crop season per
year, the decision was made to have two crop seasons per year. The one-season-per-year practice
was based on the fact that there is only natural monsoon per year. This was correct. So, there had
 to be two "monsoons" per year. One would be the natural monsoon and the other an artificial
'monsoon.'
The artificial monsoon came in the form of huge irrigation facilities. Dams were built to arrest
large volumes of natural monsoon water which were earlier being wasted. Simple irrigation
techniques were also adopted.

C. Using seeds with superior genetics

This was the scientific aspect of the Green Revolution. The Indian Council for Agricultural
Research (which was established by the British in 1929 but was not known to have done any
significant research) was re-organized in 1965 and then again in 1973. It developed new strains of
high yield value (HYV) seeds, mainly wheat and rice but also millet and corn. The most
noteworthy HYV seed was the K68 variety for wheat. The credit for developing this strain goes
to Dr. M.P. Singh who is also regarded as the hero of India’s Green revolution.

List three positive economic, sociologic, or political results of the Green revolution in India.

Economic results of the Green Revolution

i. Crop areas under high-yield varieties needed more water, more fertilizer, more pesticides,
fungicides and certain other chemicals. This spurred the growth of the local manufacturing sector.
Such industrial growth created new jobs and contributed to the country's GDP.
ii. The increase in irrigation created need for new dams to harness monsoon water. The water stored
was used to create hydroelectric power. This in turn boosted industrial growth, created jobs and
improved the quality of life of the people in villages.
iii. India paid back all loans it had taken from the World Bank and its affiliates for the purpose of the
Green Revolution. This improved India's creditworthiness in the eyes of the lending agencies.

Sociological results of the Green Revolution

The Green Revolution created plenty of jobs not only for agricultural workers but also industrial
workers by the creation of lateral facilities such as factories and hydro-electric power stations as
explained above.

Political results of the Green Revolution

i. India transformed itself from a starving nation to an exporter of food. This earned admiration
for India in the comity of nations, especially in the Third World.
ii. The Green Revolution was one factor that made Mrs. Indira Gandhi (1917-84) and her party, the
Indian National Congress, a very powerful political force in India (it would however be wrong to
say that it was the only reason).
 Briefly describe limitations of the Green revolution in India.

1. More inequality among farmers (Inter-personal inequalities)

The new technology requires a huge amount of investment which can be only, afforded by the big
farmers. Hence, these farmers are getting the absolute benefits of the green revolution and became
comparatively richer than farmers. This increases inequality in rural India.

2. Regional inequality
Benefits of the new technology remained concentrated in wheat growing area since green
revolution remained limited to wheat for a number of years. These were thy regions of Punjab,
Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh. On account of the above reasons new agricultural strategy
has led to an increase in regional inequalities.

3. The Question of Labour Absorption

There is a general consensus that the adoption of new technology had reduced labour absorption
in agriculture. The uneven regional growth was mainly responsible for the low absorption of labour
within agriculture. The growth of output was also slow to generate adequate employment
 opportunities. The sudden rise in the demand for labour in these areas induced mechanization and
labor-saving practices in general.

4. Health Hazards
The health hazards of the new technology can also not be lost sight of. Increased mechanization
that has accompanied the modernization of farm technology in green revolution areas carries with
it the risk of in capitation due to accidents. The attitude of the Government towards the problems
of treatment and rehabilitation of victims of accidents on farm machines is that of total
ambivalence. Meagre compensation is provided to victims.

Elaborate solution for degradation due to Green revolution in India.

Suggestions to Overcome the Limitations of Green Revolution in India are:

I. New irrigation schemes should be started in arid and semi- arid areas to enable the farmers to reap
the benefits of green revolution. Drip irrigation system in the form of sprinkler system should be
in vogue, wherever possible. This will save water, electricity and man power.

II. The watershed management approach should be tried on a larger scale for moisture conservation
and checking the deterioration of the soil.

III. Multiple cropping programmes should be undertaken on the same piece of land during one
agricultural year. Further, price parity should be maintained among different crops in order to
provide balanced incentives for the production of all principal crops.

IV. In place of chemical technologies, emphasis should be laid on biotechnologies and eco-
technologies for increasing agricultural productivity.

V. Crop insurance schemes should be implemented in all the states and union territories of the country
to meet the adverse impact of eventualities caused by short supply of inputs, unfavorable weather
conditions etc.

VI. Adequate credit facilities should be provided to the small and marginal farmers to purchase
necessary inputs like seeds, fertilizers etc. They should be encouraged to join cooperatives in order
to avail the best use of the new farm technology.

Discuss Food Security in India

Food Security
Food Security is a measure of the availability of food and individual’s ability to access it.
According the United Nations Committee on World Food Security, food security is defined as
the means that all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient,
 safe, and nutritious food that meets their food preferences and dietary needs for an active and
healthy life.

Food Security in India

Food security has been a major concern in India. According to UN-India, there are nearly 195
million undernourished people in India, which is a quarter of the world's hunger burden. Also
roughly 43% children in India are chronically undernourished. India ranks 74 out of 113 major
countries in terms of food security index. Though the available nutritional standard is 100% of the
requirement, India lags far behind in terms of quality protein intake at 20% which needs to be
tackled by making available protein rich food products such as eggs, meat, fish, chicken, etc. at
affordable prices.

India’s efforts to achieve food security

The Public Distribution System, which was initially started as a system to manage food scarcity in
the 1940s, has evolved into a system for the distribution of food grains at affordable prices, and is
an important part of the government’s policy for food management.

The PDS is supplemental in nature, i.e. it is not intended to make available the entire requirement
of any commodity distributed to a household. The PDS is operated as a joint responsibility of the
state and central governments. The central government, through the Food Corporation of India
(FCI), has the responsibility for the procurement, storage, transportation and the bulk allocation of
food grains to the state governments.

The Food Corporation of India was setup under the Food Corporation Act 1964, in order to fulfil
following objectives of the Food Policy:

1. Effective price support operations for safeguarding the interests of the farmers.

2. Distribution of food grains throughout the country for public distribution system

3. Maintaining satisfactory level of operational and buffer stocks of food grains to ensure National
Food Security

Present criticism of the Indian food security system

India’s problem of food security was initially centered on low agricultural output and the poor
availability of food grains but the problems are now different.
There is frustration regarding the state of agriculture and suicides by farmers. The high prices of
essential commodities, and low returns for farmers, have been making news and have become
rallying causes during elections. Suicides by farmers continues to make news and is a cause of
great concern.
The government has initiated several measures to assist farmers and promote agriculture, which
continues to be the mainstay of the Indian economy. However, there are also issues like those of
the growing water scarcity, climate change and the ecological hazards posed by the increasing use
of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
These problems call for better agricultural methods, like, organic farming, integrated pest
management, crop diversification, the use of bio fertilizers and proper water and land management,
for ensuring sustainable food security.

Conclusions and a SWOT analysis of food security in India

In conclusion, we may state that the major strength of the Indian food security system has been in
achieving self-sufficiency in the production of cereals and in setting up the PDS. The PDS, through
the distribution of essential food grains across the country, at subsidized and affordable prices, has
prevented famines successfully.

Amongst India’s strengths is also the system of procurement that has been put in place and the
capacity built up to hold large buffer stocks. The strong political and administrative will that has
been exhibited in the country, through all these years, to sustain and improve the PDS, is no doubt
a major strength. This is apparent when one looks at the measures such as the TPDS and the NFSA,
which have been successfully put in place and implemented.