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Introduction:

The Green Revolution stands as a significant chapter in the annals of Indian history, marking a departure from food scarcity to surplus. Conceptualized in the late 1960s, this movement brought about a paradigm shift in India’s agricultural practices, leading to unprecedented food grain production.

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Contribution of Green Revolution to the Indian Economy and Food Security:

• Increased Production: 
  • The Green Revolution led to a substantial increase in food grain production.
  • India’s wheat production surged from a mere 6 million tonnes in 1947 to a staggering 60 million tonnes, emphasizing the revolution’s success.
  • For example, Punjab and Tamil Nadu saw substantial growth in wheat and rice production, respectively.
• Economic Impact: 
  • The revolution brought about economic prosperity in the agricultural sector. 
  • With higher yields, farmers’ incomes surged, creating ripple effects in the broader economy. 
  • This had a cascading effect on other sectors, thereby fostering overall economic growth.
  • For instance, Punjab farmers witnessed their average yield of wheat spike to over 40 quintals per hectare.
• Forest Conservation: 
  • The enhanced productivity due to high-yielding varieties resulted in land-saving agriculture. Had the yield improvements not taken place, India would have needed an additional 70 million hectares, potentially leading to deforestation.
• Eradication of Famine: 
  • The Green Revolution played a pivotal role in negating the famines that had earlier gripped the nation. 
  • With measures like enhanced production and better distribution systems in place, India could avert large-scale hunger.
  • For example, between 1870 and 1900, famines claimed 30 million lives. Post the Green Revolution, such large-scale famines became a thing of the past.
• Infrastructure Development: 
  • The Green Revolution was not just about high-yield seeds. It encompassed infrastructural advancements like land consolidation, rural electrification, and effective communication networks.
  • For instance, the support from Punjab Agricultural University and the availability of essential infrastructure enabled Punjab to lead the Green Revolution.

The Way Forward – Evergreen Revolution:

While the Green Revolution was undeniably transformative, the future lies in ensuring sustainability. The next step is the ‘Evergreen Revolution’ – an environmentally sustainable and socially equitable agricultural transformation.

• Ecotechnological Empowerment: The fusion of traditional ecological wisdom with modern technologies can pave the way for sustainable agriculture.
• Water and Land Management: With increasing water disputes and decreasing arable land per capita, effective management is essential.
• Addressing Post-harvest Losses: Addressing the mismatch between production and post-harvest technologies is critical. For perishable goods, the post-harvest losses significantly impact both producers and consumers.
• Emphasis on Sustainability: The move should be towards ecological farming technologies, focusing on soil health, water conservation, and biodiversity.
• Enhanced Livelihoods: Agricultural intensification should be linked with the creation of job opportunities. The emphasis should be on generating more food, more jobs, and more income.
• Addressing the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Environment: The onset of Trade-related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) necessitates the creation of frameworks like a National Trust Fund for eco-technology to ensure research continues to serve the public good.

Conclusion:

The Green Revolution transformed the Indian agrarian landscape, rescuing millions from hunger and propelling the nation to a position of food surplus. However, the future necessitates the bridging of the Green Revolution’s successes with sustainable practices. An evergreen revolution, emphasizing sustainability and equity, is the need of the hour. As we tread this path, it’s imperative to ensure that the growth is holistic, benefiting not just the present but also future generations.

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