Introduction + In popular parlance, Green Revolution is an phenomenon which catapulted India’s image from a chronically food-short country, with begging bowl image to ‘one which was self-sufficient and which become overtime even surplus in food. * Green Revolution was started by Mrs Gandhi in mid 1960s, however the seeds were already sown by Pandit Nehru and Mr. Shastri. + According to GS Bhalla Nehru was aware of Agricultural development in meeting his dream of rapid industrialization, therefore in First Five Year Plan he equipped 31% of total agricultural area with the facilities of irrigation. He also given the practical shape to land reforms in order to increase agricultural productivity. * He stated massive irrigation and power project like Bhakra Nangal Dam and Mettur Dam, healso established-Agricultural Universities, Research Laboratories and Fertilizers plants. + In Third FYP Intensive Agricultural District Programme (IADP) was started in 15 District of 15 States. + Similarly, Lal Bahadur Shastri and his Food Minister C. Subramaniam worked in the path of increasing Food Productivity, In 1965 he approved import of 250 tonnes High Yielding Variety(HYV) Seeds of Wheat, which was far better than traditional wheat seeds. This was developed by American Scientist Norman e Borlaug and implemented in Mexico in 1950s. Thus, he is regarded as Father of Green Revolution in World. However, In India MS Swaminathan has contributed a lot in Green Revolution, thus he is known as Father of Green Revolution in India. + Although, the term Green Revolution was coined by William S Gadd in 1968.* Causes/ Factors/ Need of Green Revolution. 1. Food Security:- Every country wants to ensure its food security, thus India was no exception, however India failed to produce the quantity of food grains which was need to ensure our food security. Thus Green Revolution was important for India. 2. Growth of Population:- With the growth of Population the demand of food increased, thus in order to meet the demand of food the productivity was needed to be increased, thus Green Revolution was needed. Population Growth Rate was 2.2% per annum after independence compared to 1% per annum growth for last 50 years. 3. To Check inflation:- In mid-1950s, the demand was increased but supply was less, thus the inflation increased which led to poverty in poor country. The inflation rate between 1965-68 was 20% per annum. 4, Reduce dependency on other countries:- America through her PL-480 scheme started giving food grains mainly wheat to India in subsidized rates from 1956. In 1956 3 Million tonnes food grains were imported, which reached to more than 4.5 Million tonnes in 1963 and ultimately reached to 10 Million tonnes in 1966. 5. To tackle the situation like wars and drought:- In 1962 India fought war with China and in 1965 a war with Pakistan. India also faced a massive drought in 1965- 1966 in which agricultural output was fall by 17%, thus in such situation there was scarcity of food and buffer stock was needed, So the Indian Government went for Green Revolution. 6. Need for economic growth:- Green Revolution was also needed for economic growth of India, the food surplus would have been resulted into exports, which has reduced trade deficit and would has been led to increase in GDP.Inputs of Green Revolution + HYV seeds which was Mexican wheat seed , proved to be timely scientific break though and its suitability to Indian Condition. * Chemical Fertilizers * Pesticide * Agricultural Machinery including, tractors, Pump sets etc. * Soil Testing facilities. + Agricultural education programmes. + Institutional Credits, Nationalization of banks, the institutional credits were doubled between in 1968 to 1973. + Agricultural Price Commission- 1965 for fair price to farmers. * Food Corporation of india—1965, Positive Impacts of Green Revolution 1, Increase in Agricultural Production :- As the result of Green Revolution the food production between 1967-68 and 1970-71 the food production rose by 35%. Between 1964-65 and 1971-72 aggregate food production increased from 89 to 112 Million tonnes, calculated to be 10% per capita increase. And in 1984 it reached to 184 Million tonnes. 2. Prosperity of Farmers:-- Earning of farmers increased with the increase in food production, now they had good living standard and access to health and education. 3. Reduction in imports of food grains :- The total import of food grains was 10 Million tonnes in 1966 which reduced to 3.6 Million tonnes in 1970 and by 1984 India became self sufficient country which ended the India’s bow! begging image. In fact the India has a food surplus and buffer stock of 30 Million tonnes and India became an exporter.4. Dispersal of Rice and Wheat cultivation to non traditional areas:- Before Green Revolution Wheat was predominantly produce in Punjab, Haryana and ‘western UP and rice was predominantly produced in eastern UP, MP and RJ and in South Indian States. However, rice cultivation started in semi arid areas of PB, HR and western UP and wheat cultivation has spread to the eastern UP, MP, RI and in South Indian States. 5. Industrial Growth:- Due to large scale mechanization of agriculture by Green Revolution, the demand of different machines like tractors, harvesters and ‘combines etc. increased also the demand of fertilizers, insecticide, pesticide etc. increased rapidly which resulted into industrial. growth of these items. 6. Increase in employment:= with the growth of Green Revolution the employment increased in industries as well as in villages. * Decrease in Inflation, ability to tackle emergency situations etc. : Negative Impact of Green Revolution 1. Intercrop disparities: Green Revolution promoted monoculture of some remunerative species and it is wheat that has benefitted most and sometimes people due to this reason, term Green Revolution as wheat revolution. Coarse cereals, pulses and oilseeds were not given importance. At the same time, major commercial crops like cotton, jute, sugarcane, tea are also almost untouched by it. 2. Regional Disparities:- Green Revolution was not Pan- India event, it only touch 40% of total crop area and 60% was untouched by it, In north India PB, HR and Western UP was benefitted the most, while in south it was limited to Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.3. Rise in Inter personal disparities :- There were big as well as small farmers and Green Revolution mostly benefitted to big farmers who had more than 10 Hectare land, they had more money to buy better seeds, fertilizers and other required inputs. Thus, it made rich richer and left poor poorer. Which resulted in widespread social and economic exploitation. 4, Unemployment:- On one hand Green Revolution created employment in industries and in PB and HR but on the other hand , it promoted unemployment i rest of the areas as it promoted mechanization. 5. Deforestation :- Green Revolution led to the cutting down of the trees , PB and HR was the heart land of Green Revolution and these states has left with 3% of forest area. And in UP the forest cover was just around 5%. 6. Depletion of underground water= Green Revolution promoted over irrigation, the over use of ground water led to depletion of underground water. 7. Environmental Pollution:- Green Revolution led to land and water pollution, the over use of fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides led to land pollution and during rainy reason these mixed with rain water and ultimately went into water sources like rivers and pounds and in this way led to water pollution 8. It also led to ecological problems like soil salinity, alkalinity, waterlogging, desertification and soil erosion.