AGRICUITURE ININDIA

IMPORTANCE AND PRODUCTIVITY

In the words of Prof. M.P. Todaro, "f the process of economic growth is to begin and to be
self-sustained, it must begin with the rural areas in general and agriculture inparticular." Every aspect of
economic life in India is influenced by agriculture. Agriculture contributes 13.7 per cent of the national
incomeof India and it offers livelihood to nearly 50 per cent of its total population. Indian industries
depend upon agriculturefor raw materials as wellas for the sale of finished products. Success of our plans
depends toa greater extent upon the progress of agricultural sector. In the words of Gunnar Myrdal, "It is
in the agricultural sector that the battle forlong-term economic development ofIndia will be won or lost."
1,Meaning of Agriculture
Theword agriculture is derived from the two Latin words agri (implying field) and culture
(implying cultivation). Webster Dictionary states, "Agriculture is the art or science of production of
crops and livestock on afarm." In economics,we use the term agriculiure as relating to every aspect of
ctivation. Main purpose of agriculture is to produce wage goods, such as, foodgrains, milk, vegetables,
pulses, raw materials, etc.
2. Impórtance of Agriculture
Economic development attempted in successive five year plans has made agriculture a pride of
national economy. Need/importance of agricultural development in India is evident from following facts:
Y Contribution to National Income: During the period of plans, the contribution of
agriculture to national income in different years has been ranging between 61 per cent and 13.7 per cent.
In 1950-51, contribution of agricultural sector to the national income was 61 per cent which in 2012-13
came down to 13.7 per cent. Contribution of agricultural sector to the national income of India is
considerable as compared to the contribution of other sectors like, industry, trade etc., but, now, it has
been declining gradually. In the rich countries of the world, agriculture is sufficiently developed but its
contribution to the national income is very litle. In America and England, agriculture contributes only
1per cent of the national income. In underdeveloped countries, share of agriculture in the national
income is more as compared to share of agriculture in developed countries. In India, contribution of
agriculture to national income is 13.7 per cent, which on the one hand is indicative of the importance
of agricultural sector but, on the other, it also symbolises the backwardness of the country.
 26 Indian Economy
Those
(2YSupply of Wage Goods: Main agricultural sector is to supply wage goods.
goods which are consumed bythe objective of
countryto satisfy their necessities of
life are called wage
goods. These include masses of the In India,
agricultural products like wheat, rice, pulses, maize, bajra, oilseeds, etc. Between
agriculture sector provides food to about 121 people and fodder to 40 crore of
cattle.
1951 and 2011, population of the country hascrore of more than three times and the production of
increased
1
19519which/rose
5 a sincreased fourfold. Per capita daily availability of cereals and pulses was 39T grams in
to 463 grams in 2011.
ncrease in Emplovment: Aaiculture is the main source of employment in Inala. t1S the
man oCCupation of India, In the vear 2006.07 50 19 ner cent of the population was
engageu n
ofthe sinifpendence of nearly 50 per cent of the population
Of tne significance of this sector to the Indian eronomu on the on agriculture speaks, on the one hand,
other. it underlines the backwardieos
e couny. It is so because the productivity of labOur is low in agriculture. Of the total
POputation, 1.Z per cent in UK, 1.6 per centin USA and3 per centin Germany, is engaged in working
FOporon of population dependingon agriculhure has been declining with the increase inagricuture.
deveropment. bor instance, in USA, in 1810 about 75 ner cent of population was dependent economic
agriculture,
présently, is just 1.6 per cent.
it on
(4Agriculture and Industry: In an underdeyeloped country like India, in the initial stage oT
economic development, agriculture has an imnortant contribution to the aOwth of industrial
variety ofways, viz; (i) Industries get raw materials sector, in a
etc., trom agricultural sector. Many cottage and like cotton, iute, sugar cane, oilseeds, rubber, cereas
small-scale industries
rope-making, etc. depend on agriculture for their raw materials. (ii) Income of the like handloom, oil extracting,
mpact of agricultural development. They demand more people rises under the
result, market for industrial goods produced by the industrial sector. As a
products expands. (ii) As a result of industrial
people rises and so also rises their demand for cereals, hence development ofdevelopment, income of the
(5) Agriculture and Foreign Trade: agriculture is very essential.
(a) In the total Agriculture
export trade of India, contribution of is of great importance to India's foreign trade.
tobacco, spices, jute, etc. has been very large. In agricultural products like, tea, coffee, oil-cakes,
constituted of agricultural products. (b) In the imports, 2011-12, of the total exports about 12.4 per cent
implements, etc., play an important role. With increase infoodgrains, size of
edible oils, fertilizers, agricultural
oilseeds in the country, increase very much. As a demand, imports of foodgrains and
unfavourable. If agriculture result of it, country's balance of trade becomes
currency earned as a result ofdevelops
export
in the country,
of dependence on imports would go down.
Foreign
means of transport, raw materials etc. agricultural products will be utilized for the import of
(6) Role in Internal needed for the economic development of the machines.
countru.
2009-10,57 per cent of incomeTrade: was
According to National Sample Survey
Organisation, in the year
snenton food in urban areas. Thus, spent on food in the rural areas and 44 per cent of
Food trade provides agriculture plays an important role in the internal tradetheof income was
employment a large number of people and also
to the
government. generates tax revenuecountry.
for the
(7) Agriculture and Transport: Agricultural
disparities. In some states like Punjab, Haryana, U.P., production in India is
increased very much under the impact of green Andhra Pradesh, etc. production of characterized by regional
self-sufficient in the matter of foodgrains but other:states revolution. These states
also have notfoodgrains
only
has
oneof transport like trucks,
railways, etc. have been earning purchase foodgrains from them. As become a result,
products from surplus states to deficit states. good revenue by carrying
ometoGovernment: State agricultural
agricultural sector. Many kinds of taxes aregovernments obtain a sizeable part of their
levied on agriculture, revenue from the
e.g.,land revenue, irrigation tax,
 27
AgricultureinIndia Importance and Productivity
agriculturalincome tax, etc. Central government also earns considerable revenue by way of excise duty
andexportduty on agricultural products like tobacco, tea, coffee, etc. In the wake of green revolution, the
Government is seriously considering taxation on agricultural income. Raj Committee was of the
inion that th¹ Governmentcan considerably raise its revenue by imposing tax on agricultural income.
(9) eapital Formation: Large part of Indian capital is invested in agriculture. From the point of
.iow of fixed capital assets, farm-lands occupy the highest place. Capital worth millions of rupees is
wested in the means of irigation, cattle, agricultural implements, tractors and other agricutural
achines, warehouses, etc. Prof. Nurkse opined that disguised unemployment in Indian agriculture is
also a potential source of capital formation. In India, about 25 per cent of the farmers suffer frorn disquised
unemployment. This surplus labour of the agricultural sector can be employed in urban industries at less
than prevailing rate of wages. Saving thus effected on account of low wages may be invested in industries.
(191Source of Saving: After green revolution, agriculture may constitute an important source of
[Link] far, green revolution has benefitted rich farmers only. They have grown richer. The additional
income earned by them can be saved and invested. If benefits of green revolution are extended to all
farmers then income of farmers can be increased and thus saving potentials can be very large in
agricultural sector. If the same are properly utilized, they can prove very helpful in the econonmic
development of the country.
(11) Basis of Economic Development: Indian agriculture serves as a basis of the economic
development. Because firstly, development of agricultural sector provides inputs to industries for their
development. Secondly, agriculture requires relatively less capital and less foreign exchange for its
development. Thus, by making se of the available resources, agriculture can be developed. Agricultural
development wil help in thedevelopment of industries, transport, foreign trade, etc.
(12)Social and Political Importance: Development of agriculture has its social and political
significance. India is mainly acountry of villages. Asa resut of agricultural development, economic, social
and political ite of the villages wil improve. They willtake more interest in national programmes and
development problems. Such type of public cooperation is very esential for all round progress of the
[Link], three-fourth of the total electorates live in villages. As such, different political parties
make allefforts for their improvement through the development of agriculture.
(13) International Importance: Some of the agricultural products of India are of international
significance. India ranks first in the world as regards the production of spices, milk, jute, pulses, buter and
ghee; second rank with regard to sugar, rice, wheat, fruits, vegetables, tea and tobacco and sixth rank with
regard to potatoes. India enjoys monopoly in the production of lac. India's ranking in the world in
agriculture is given in Table 1.
Table 1. India's Ranking in the World in Agriculture (Selected Indicators)
India's Rank
Criteria/Crop India's Rank Criteria/Crop
Total Irrigated Area 1 Cultivable Land 2

Pulses 1 Wheat 2
Jute 1 Rice 2
Sugar Cane 2
Spices 1
Milk 1 Fruits and Vegetables 2
Butter & Ghee 1 Tobacco 2
2
Cashew Nuts Tea
Controt

NEW AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY

42 NEW AGRICULTURAL STRATEGY--GREEN
7.13.
REVOLUTION IN INDIA

713.1. Introduction of New Agricultural Strategy or

Green Revolution and its Features
the
The new agricultural strategy was adopted in India during
Third Plan, i.e., during 1960s. Assuggested by the team of experts
of Food and
Foundation in its report "India's Crisis
of the Ford
in 1959 the Government decided to shift the
Steps to Meet it"
agricultural sector of the country. Thus, the
Srategy followed in are gradually
Taditional agricultural practices followed in India
technology
and agriculturalpractices.
being replaced by modern suggested to introduce intensive
This report of Ford Foundation and productivity in
effort for raising agricultural production
1. Economic survey, 2016-17, p. 176.
 selected regions of the country through the introduction of modern
inputs like fertilisers, credit, marketing facilities etc. Accordingly,
1n 1960, from seven states seven districts
were selected and the
Government introduced a pilot project known as Intensive Area
Development Programme (IADP) into those seven districts. Later
On, this programme was extended to remaining states and
one
district from each state was selected for intensive
Accordingly, in 1965, 144 districts (out of 325) weredevelopment.
selected for
intensive cultivation and the programme was renamed as
Intensive
Agricultural Areas Programme (IAAP).
During the period of mid-1960s, Prof. Norman
Mexico developed new high yielding varieties of Borlaug of
wheat and
accordingly various countries started to apply this new variety
with much promise. Similarly, in the kharif season in 1966, India
adopted High Yielding Varieties Programme (HYVP) for the first
time. This programme was adopted as a package
the very success of this programme depends upon programme as
irrigation facilities, application of fertilizers, high adequate
yielding
varieties of seeds, pesticides, insecticides etc. In this way a new
technology was gradually adopted in Indian agricúlture. This
new strategy is also popularly known as modern agricultural
technology or green revolution.
In the initial stage, HYVP alongwith IAAP was implemented
in 1.89 million hectares of area. Gradually the coverage of the
programme was enlarged and in 1995-96, total area covered by
this HY\VP programme was estimated 75.0 million hectares which
accounted to early 43 per cent of the total net sown area of the
country. As the new HYV seeds require shorter duration to grow
thus it paved way for the introduction of multiple cropping, i.e.,
to have two or even three crops throughout the year. Farmers
producing wheat in Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh,
Rajasthan and Delhi started to demand heavily new Mexican
varieties of seeds like Lerma Rojo, Sonara-64, Kalyan and P.V
18. But in case of productionof rice, although new HYV varieties
of seeds like TN.-1, ADT-17, Tinen-3 and IR-8 were applied but
the result was not very much encouraging. Some degree of success
was only achieved in respect of IR-8.
Important Features of Green Revolution
Following are somne of important features of Green Revolution :
1. Revolutionary. The Green revolution is considered as
revolutionary in character as it is based as new technology, new
ideas, new application of inputs like HYV seeds, fertilizers,
irigation water, pesticides etc. As all these were brought suddenly
and spread quickly to attain dramatic results thus it is termed as
revolution in green agriculture.
2. HYV Seeds. The most important strategy followed in
green revolution is the application of high yielding variety (HYV)
seeds. Most of these HYV seeds are of dwarf variety (shorter
stature) and matures in a shorter period of time and can be useful
where sufficient and assured water supply is available. Thus seeds
also require four to ten times more of fertilizers than that of
traditional variety.
3. Confined to Wheat Revolution. Green revolution has
been largely confined to Wheat crop neglecting the other crops.
210

Green revolution was first introduced to wheat cultivation in

Indian Economy
million tonnes in 2016-2017. This has
those areas where sample quantity of water was available the introduction of Special Foodgrains become possible due to
throughout the year through irigation. Presently 90 per cent of Rice Production Production
land engaged in wheat cultivation are benefitted from this new
agricultural strategy. Most of the HYV seeds are related to wheat
(SFPP) and the Special
2. Increasing employment opportunities. Programme Pr(SRPP).
ogramme
The
crop and major portion of chemical fertilizer are also used in of new agricultural strategy has led to considerable
wheat cultivation. Therefore, green revolution can be largely agricultural employment. Due to the introduction expansi
of on
introductionof
considered as wheat revolution. cropping, job opportunities in the rural areas has also multiple
4. Narrow Spread. The area covered through green as the demand for hired workers required for
increased simultaneously. farm expanded
activities
revolution was initialy very narrow as it was very much confined
to Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh only. It is only in 3. Strengthening the forward and backward
recent years that coverage of green revolution is gradually being
extended to other states like West Bengal, Assam, Kerala and
Although traditional linkages between agriculture and liindustry
nkages.
were existing since a long back, but green revolution ha
other southern states.
strengthened the linkages. Strong forward linkage of agriculture
7.13.2. Arguments in Favour of New Strategy in India with industry was noticed even in the traditional agriculture ac
Introduction of new agricultural strategy in India has certain agriculture supplied various inputs to industries. But the backward
arguments in its favour. These are as follows: linkage of agriculture to industry, i.e., in the form of agriculture
using finished products of industry, was very weak. But
Firstly, India being a vast agricultural country the adoption introduction of modern technology to agriculture has raised a
of intensive approach is the only way to make a breakthrough in huge demand for
the agricultural sector within the shortest possible time. agricultural inputs now produced and supplied
by industries. Thus, modernisation of agriculture and development
Secondly, considering the food crisis faced by the country of agro-based industries has strengthened both forward and the
during 1960s it was quite necessary to adopt this new strategy backward linkages between agriculture and the industry.
for meeting the growing requirement of food in ou country.
4. Increase in regional disparities. Introduction of new
Thirdly, as the introduction of HYVP programme has been technology in agriculture has widened the regional disparities
able to raise the agricultural productivity significantly, thus this only some regions well endowed with resources and irigation
new agricultural strategy is economically justified. potential have benefitted most from the introduction of modern
Fourthly, as the agricultural inputs required for the adoption technology. The coverage of green revolution has been raised
of new strategy is scarce thus it would be quite beneficial to from a mere 1.89 million hectares in 1966-67 to only 71.3 million
adopt this strategy in a selective way only on some promising hectares in 1994-95 which accounts to nearly 42 per cent of
areas sO as to reap maximum benefit from intensive cultivation. gross cropped area of the country. Moreover, as the green
Fifthly, adoption of new strategy has its spread effect. Reaping revolution was very much restricted to production of wheat thus
a good yield through HYVP would induce the other farmers to the benefits were very much restricted to 20.4 million hectares
adopt this new technique. Thus due to its spread effect the overall of area engaged in wheat production (only 12 per cent of gross
productivity of Indian agriculture would rise. cropped area). Moreover, only th0se areas having irrigation
Lastly, increased agricultural productivity through the facilities and package of other inputs could achieve success in
adoption of new strategy will have its secondary and tertiary HYVP ¡f wheat. Thus, accordingly the regions of Punjab, Haryana
effects. As the increased production of food through HYVP would and Western Uttar Pradesh derived the benefits of new agriculthural
reduce food imports and thus release scarce foreign exchange strategy. But the agriculture of the remaining more than 80 per
for other purposes. Moreover, increased production of commercial cent of the cropped area of the country is still depend1ng on
crops would also lead to expansion of agro-based industries in vagaries of the monsoons in the absence of irrigation facilities.
the country, especially in the rural areas. Accordingly the combined share of Northern States (Punja0.
Haryana and Uttar Pradesh) in respect of total production 0r
7.13.3. Impact of New Strategy or Green Revolution foodgrains has increased from 29.5 per cent during 1970-71 t0
Introduction of new agricultural strategy or green revolution has 1972-73 to 37.1 per cent during the period 1986-87 to 1988-89.
created huge impact on the economy of the country. These are Again the [Link] of Guiarat and Maharashtra registered
discussed below : only a marginal increase from 7.9 per cent to 8.6 per cent during
1. Increase in agricultural production. Due to the adoption the same period. But the combined share of Eastern States and
of new agricultural strategy the volume of agricultural producticn Southern States has declined from 22.3 per cent to 19.8 per cent
and productivity has recorded manifold increase. The production and 20.3 per cent to 17.2 per cent respectively. ! This shows how
of wheat, rice, maize and potatoes has increased substantially. the introduction of new agricultural strategy into some restrleteu
Total production of foodgrains in India increased from 81.0 areas has widened the regional disparity in respect of agricultural
million tonnes (annual average) during the Third Plan to 275.7 production and productivity of the country.
1. [Link]. "Farnm Output Spurt Brooks No Euphoria", The Economic Times, November 15, 1990, p. 13.
 Agricultureand Its
Development in India

[Link]-personal inequalities. Green revolution has created

some
impacton inter-personal inequalities. But economists ; are
tivided
onthis issue. Some micro level studies reveal that inter-
personalinequalities have enlarged but somne other studies show
hatthedegreeof inter-personal inequalities have either narrowed
downorremained neutral. The studies conducted by Francine R.
Frankel,G.R. Saini and Pranab Bardhan revealed that the large
farmersare benefitted most from the green revolution but other
studies made by J.R. Westley, Usha Nagpal and George Blyn
showedthat the inequalities have narrowed down as small farmers
arealsobenefitted considerably from green revolution.
6. No response from small and marginal farmers. Small
and marginal farmers in India could not be able to adopt new
strategy due to their p00r financial condition andpoor
creditworthiness. Majority of rural household having
small size
of land or no land has derived negligible bernefit fromn this new
(echnology.
Market oriented. Introduction of new technology in
agriculture has transformed the farmers market oriented. Indian
mers are mostly depending on market for getting their inputs
e well as for selling their output. Moreover, farmers are also
denending much on institutional credit available in the market to
meet cost of adoption of new technology.
8. Change in attitudes. Green revolution has contributed
fayourably to change the attitudes of farmers in India. Agricultural
oneration has enhanced its status from subsistence activity to
commercial farming due to the adoption of new strategy. Wolf
Ladejinsky observed that, *Where the ingredients for new
technology are available, no farmer denies their effectiveness.
The desire for better farming methods and a better standard of
Iiving is growing not only among relatively small number of the I
affluent using the new technology, but also among countless 1
farmers still from the outside looking in". The evidence of
qualitative changes in attitudes can be observed from the short
and long term investment decision of the farmers, i.e., increasing
pplication of current inputs like HYV seeds, fertilizer, pesticides
C. and their investment in tube-wells, pump sets for irrigation.
Inus, during the periodfrom 1966-67 to1989-90, the area under
vr has increased from 1.89 million hectares to 63.9 million
cctares, consumption of fertilizer also increased from 2.9 lakh
tonnes to 126 lakh tonnes, the number of irrigation pump sets
with electrically operated tubewells increased from l3 per lakh
hectares of gross Cropped area to 3995 in 1988. Thus, Khusro
has rightly mentioned, "no one could see such remarkable figures
of annual percentage increase in inputs, and yet to surmise that
a
structural wanted occurred."
change social notconseguences. Green revolution has
had
also raised certain unwanted social consequences. Various socio-
economic studies have confirmed these consequences. Green
Tevol
enantsueviction
tscale tioandn of tenants byintolarge farmers as they find large-scale
paves the way for transforming a large
number of
agricultural labourers due to large-
share-cropperS
1. Wolf Ladejinsky. *How Green is India's Green Revolution", Economic
2. A.M. Khusro, Agriculture", Agriculture and
in Indian
"Structural change 316.
 211
farming is highly profitable. Thus G.
presidential address delivered at 46th AnnualParthasarathy in his
Society of Agricultural Economics 1986, Conference of Indian
observed that "The
polarisation process that accentuates the rural class difference
has been further intensified by the
green revolution."
Moreover, increased mechanisation of farm has resulted huge
number of accidents which maimed more than 10,000 farm
labourers in India till 1985. Again the increasing application of
poisonous pesticides, without realising its health hazards has
added a serious health problem. The International
Development
Research Centre, Ottavwa has reported about 7.5 lakh cases of
acute poisoning with different types of pesticides. But surprisingly
no provision for workmen compensation has yet been made in
India.
In the end, it can be observed that inspite of increase in the
production of foodgrains, the country is facing a dificult situation.
While the population of the country has crossed 1.2 billion mark
by2011, the demand for foodgrains willalso rise to 280 million
tonnes. As the production has reached 275.7 million tonnes in
2016-17 thus the country will have to raise the production of
foodgrains by 5 million tonnes within next two years. This is no
doubt an uphill task. At this moment what is required is the
development of a low-cost technology for agriculture which can
be easily adopted by small farmers due to its cost efficiency.
Thus to meet the requirement of foodgrains, the coverage of
green revolution should be extended by any means.
 The Commission (NCF) has chalked out a
Indian Economy
Action Plan. Five important conponcnts of National
follows :
this
plan Rearneewala%
1. Enhancement of Soil
Health. In order to
productivity potential of soil, various
agricultural universities, Krishi Vigyan increase
organisational sel ups the
research institutes, State agricultural Kendras, lke
companies and farmers' associations and agencies departmentsagr, ficenutiluizrear
increase the productivity potential of the soils
adequate attention for the improvement of and should
try h should
nutrients of soil along with its macro and
microbiology.
Arcas
dry farming activities should get special attention. in engaged
2. Irrigation Water Supply Augmentation
Management. The National Commission on and
made
clear cut declaration: Water is a publicgood and a social resu Farmers Demand
instead of a private property. Utilisation of water
private property may lead to disaster. Considering resources
the fall i
7.13.6. National Commission on Farmers and Second underground water table, rain water harvesting and recharoe t
Green Revolution aquifers should be made mandatory. Additional irrigation potentisl
The National Commission on Farmers was appointed by the UPA to the extent of 10 million hectares should be developed under
Government after its formation in 2004 under the Chairmanship Bharat Nirman. All ponds and wells needs to be renovated
of eminent agricultural scientist Dr. M.S. Swaminathan. After a properly. Seawater farming needs tobe promoted in coastal areas
thorough study, the Commission (NCF) submitted five reports through cultivation of mangroves, halophytic plants etc. Moreoyer
between December 2005 and October 2006. Key recommen in order to have proper demand management, improved irigation
dations of the Commission are incorporated in the Revised Draft practices through sprinkler and drip irrigation should be
National Policy on Farmers. These include : asset reforms covering popularised and then be introduced.
land, water, livestock and bio resources; farmers friendly support 3. Credit and Insurance. In order to improve the condition
services covering extension, training and knowledge, conductivity, of farmers, credit and insurance facilities needs to be developed.
credit and insurance; assured and remunerative marketing; inputs The Commission (NCF) observes, "Credit reform in the primary
and delivery services, and curriculum reforms in the agriculture pathway to enhancing small farm productivity and ending farmer
universities. Other major initiatives recommended by the suicides." Steps which are suggested include : () to reduce the
Commission include bringing Agriculture in the concurrent list rate of interest on crop loan and to reduce the difference between
of the constitution; setting up of aNational Food Security and lending and deposit interest rates; (ii) to create an Agriculture
Sovereignty Board; Universalisation of PDS; setting up of an Risk Fund to provide relief to the farmers for meeting natural
Indian Trade Organisation; making the Commission on calamities.
Agriculture Cost and Prices into an autonomous statutory
4. Technology. In the technology front, agriculture scientists
organisation with MSP at least 50 per cent more than the cost of should take care of the performance of new varieties and the
production, and launch of a Rural Non-farm Livelihood Initiative
related technologies in terms of net income per hectare instead
(RNFLI). RNFLI when implemented would be able to absorb of yield per hectare. Production and post harvest technologes
higher number of people dependent on agriculture. The
recommendations are under active consideration of Government. need to be integrated and lab-to-land demonstrations should be
Moreover, there are several programmes already under organised in dry farming areas. Rice bio-parks need to be
implementation by the Department of Agriculture and Co developed. To adopt the farm technology, a cadre of Rural Farm
operation on the same lines as recommended by the Commission. Science Managers should be developed and a professional
Strategy for improving the Economic Condition of National Biotechnology Regulatory Authority be established
Farmers without delay.
The National Commission on Farmers (NCF), has 5. Market. Arranging assured and remunerative marketng
recom will determine economic viability of farming as well as improve
mended a strategy for emphasising the need to increase the lot of farmers. Market reforms be undertaken with production
productivityand profitability of agriculture without creating any
damage to ecology. By following this strategy , the condition of planning and a chain of cultivation-consumption-commerce u
Indian agriculture can be improved by converting its crisis into established for arranging remuneration marketing.
an opportunity. In this regard it is very much essential to bridge
the gap between the potential of agriculture and its actual yields.
For this purpose, there 1s a paramount need of intensive
introduction of mutually reinforcing package of appropriate
technology, services as well as public policies.
 2. Causes of Green Revolution/Factors Contributing to Green Revolution
Many factors account for this revolution in the field of agriculture. Chief among them are as under:
(1)High Yielding Varieties of Seeds: In order to increase agriculturalproduction in india, use
launched in 1966,
of high yieldingvariety of improved seeds is very significant. This experiment was
especially on five crops,namely wheat, rice, bajra, maize andjowar. HYV seeds of wheat are Sona, PB. 18
These
and Kalyan; of Bajra H.V.1; of Maize Ganga 101 and Ranjit; of Jowar C.S.H.2; of Rice I.R. etc.
 *Natnal Seeds D00) -
famesok
62
Seeds
oode wuere evolved by Dr. Norman E. Borláug who Won fatmés
Nobel Prize in 1970. In India theso sond
Indian Economy
were first used in areas under Intensive Agricultura Distriçt
Programme.
Asaresult of the use of these HYV seeds, per hecta
of wheat has increased from 8.5 quintal per hectare to3I
yiea has
has increased very [Link] hectare yield
mäizeincreased to 25 quintals and that of bajra to TT quintal per hectare. Similarly, per hectare yield of
quintals.
expediting Green Revolution. Indian Agricultural Research Institute and Use of HYVseeds has helned lat t
plaved a significant role in evolving HYV seeds. Such seeds Agricultural Universities hau
are
Comoration and State Farms Corporation of India. Besides, 15 Statebeing supplied by National Seeds
Supplving the same. In 1988, New Policy on Seed Seed Corporations have also been
Development framed in order to develop HYVSeeds
Availability of fertified quality seeds has increased was
quintals in year 2012-13 from 140.5 lakh quintals in 2005-06 to 328.6
lakh
(2YChemical Fertilizers:
fortilizers. In 1967-68, chemical Increase in foodgrain production is also due to more use of chemical
fertilizers to the
increased to 277.39 lakh tonnes. Per hectare extent of 11 lakhoftonnes were used. By 2011-12, their use
substantially. In 1960-61, per hectare consumptionconsumption
of fertilizers was
chemical fertilizers has also increased
19 kg.. which increased to
2011-12. 141:30ka. in
27. 23 aklonnes (2012-19)
(3 Irrigation: Extension of the area
areat del. In 1965-66,320 lakh hectares of under irrigation has also infldenced green revolution to a
increased to 1,132.4 lakh hectares. landwas under irrigation. In March 2012,
irrigation potential
(4Y Multiple Cropping: Thanks to proper
crop is being sown in one farm in a year. irrigation facilities and HYV seeds, more than one
etc. is sOwn which matures within two Immediately after harvesting of wheat in April, crop like
moong
of multiple cropping, production of months and thereafter rice and
sugarcane can be sown. As a result
croppingwas launched in [Link] has increased substantially. The
In 2004-05 multiple cropping programme of multiple
million hectares of land) programme was extended over 60
(5) Modern Agricultural
harvestor, pumping sets, etc. has increasedMachinery: Use of modern agricultural machinery like tractor,
very much. Increased use of machineryhas made the
HYVseeds and multiplecropping possible. 17 Agro use of
different states to make cheap and good machinery Industrial Corporations have been established in
available
Centres have also been set up in manystates to give tractors etc. to the farmers. Besides, Agro Service
on lease to the farmers.
(6)Credit Facilities: Farmers have been getting more
get 90 per cent of their loans from the local credit facilities. Previously, farmers used to
credit needs are fulfilled by agricultural credit mnoney lender at a very high rate of interest. Now most of their
nationalisation of commercial banks in 1969, there institutions at very low rate of interest. With the
available to the farmers. In 1969-70, commercial bankshasgave been an appreciable increase in credit made
183 crore as Credit facility to the farmers.
Inyear 2011-12, cOoperative bankS
provided credit to agriculture sector amounting to ? 87,963 crore,
commercial banks provided 3,68.616 crore and regional rural banks ?
institutional credit provided to agriculture sector was R5,11,029 crore. Of it,54,450 crore. Thçs total
the share of commercial
banks was 72 per cent. This cheap credit has helped the
pesticides, agricultural equipments, minor irrigational facilities, [Link] to use improved seeds, fertilizers,
(7) Agricultural Research: Since
of agriculture. Indian Council of independence vigorous research is being conducted in respect
Agricultural Research has been doing wonderful job. In 1966, the
Council was reorganised. This veryyear three aaricultural
Madhya Pradesh. Number of agricultural universities hasuniversities were set up at Assam, Haryana and
since gone up to 61. Agricultural Engineering
 Green Revolution and its Inpact on Pollution 63

Colleges have been set up by various state governments. These institutions conduct research in respect of
ow seeds, new methods of cultivation, protection of plants against pests, etc.
(8) Plant Protection: In India, previously, there was no special arrangement for protection of
te aainst diseases. It used to result in large-scale damage to the crops. But now the crops are being
protected against pests and diseases in a big way. Presently, there are three schernes of plant protection,
namely (i) Integrated Pest Management Scheme (IPM) and (i) Locust surveillance and controland (ii) Plant
and Seed Quarantine. Pesticides are sprinkled on the standing crops. Aeroplanes are also commissioned
into service for this purpose. Government has also set up a Directorate of Plant Protection. The
Directorate has founded Plant Protection Centres at many places. Government has also set up Central
and Regional Pesticides Testing Laboratories for better plant protection.
(9)Marketing Facilities: Previously, farmers used to sell their produce in unregulated mandis
where they could not get remunerative prices. This served as a disincentive to them and theyfailed to
spend much money on the development of agriculture. However, there is lot of improvement in the
marketing of agricultural produce these days. The number of regulated agricultural markets is 7.566 at
present. Farmers now availof the facilities of warehouses and cold storages. So, not only their storing
capacity has enhanced but their income too has increased. They are now in a position to spend more
resources on the development of agriculture.)
(10) Price Incentive: Large agricultural production makes the farmers apprehensive of fall in its
price. To protect the farmers against any such fear of fall in agricultural prices, government had appointed
AgriculturalCosts and Price Commission. The Commission determines the minimum prices of
important agricultural commodities. Government buys crops at this price through the agency of Food
Corporation of India and similar other corporations. Policy of minimum prices as guaranteed by the
government encourages the farmer to increase his production.
(11) Rural Electrification: In order to supply electricity to agricultural sector, Rural Elect
rification Coporation has been set up. In 1950-51, barely 3000 villages were getting electric supply in
India. In 2010-11, 6.20 lakh villages were electrified out of total 6.41 lakh villages. Rural electrification
makes minor iigation projects like pumping-sets, tubewells etc. feasible. These projects help increase
production very much. In other words, by 2010-11 about 96.7 per cent of thevillages were covered under
rural electrification programme. In Bharat Nirman Programme, Government of India has targeted for
electrification of all villages by 2012. Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana is also doing
remarkable job in promoting rural electrification. Various state governments are supplying power to
farmersat very concessionalrates. Even in case of power shortage, farmers are given preference in supply
of power. It has helped the farmers to run tubewells and increase agriculture
production.
(12) Soil Testing: Programme of soil testing is another measure taken to make green revolution
Successtul. Soil of different regions is tested in government laboratories. These tests are meant for knowing
what kind of fertilizers and seeds will be fit for different soils. This will render the
more scientific and crops relevant to the soil will be method of cultivation
sown.
(3) Crop Insurance: General Insurance Corporation (GIC) in collaboration with the state
governments has started crop insurance scheme, Now government has set up a separate Agnculture
nsurance Company of India Ltd., (AICIL) for
insurance in agriculture sector has been handedinsurance
in aoriculture sector. Now work of GlC or
to AICIL. In crop insurance, farmers' crOps can oe
Sured at avery small premium amount. Under this scheme farmers can get
failure. compensation in case or erOP