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Introduction

The Green Revolution of the 1960s turned India from a food-deficit to a food-surplus nation through high-yield crops and synthetic fertilisers. Yet, its chemical-intensive model led to severe ecological and health consequences.

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How the Green Revolution Helped in Food Security

• Boosted Crop Yields and Productivity: Introduction of high-yielding varieties (HYVs) significantly increased output of wheat and rice, ensuring national food sufficiency.
• Averted Famines and Mass Starvation: Technological advances in crop science safeguarded millions from hunger and famine during critical shortages.
  Eg: Norman Borlaug’s work at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center earned him the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize for saving millions from famine.
• Expansion of Irrigation and Fertiliser Use: Development of irrigation infrastructure and synthetic fertilisers sustained high productivity across irrigated regions.
  Eg: The Haber-Bosch process enabled mass fertiliser production, catalysing the agricultural boom.
• Rural Employment and Economic Growth: Increased productivity generated rural employment and supported India’s industrialisation through agricultural surplus.
  Eg: The rise in farm income during the 1970s and 1980s strengthened India’s rural economy.
• Food Security Through Public Procurement: Institutional mechanisms like MSP and buffer stocks stabilised food prices and reduced dependence on imports.

Challenges Posed by the Intensive Chemical Model of the Green Revolution

• Soil Degradation and Nutrient Imbalance: Overuse of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilisers has reduced soil organic carbon and fertility.
  Eg: India’s average soil organic carbon level is below 0.3%, far less than the 1% recommended by experts.
• Groundwater Depletion and Pollution: Unregulated irrigation and fertilizer runoff have contaminated groundwater and overexploited aquifers.
  Eg: An Haryana Water Resource Authority (HWRA) report (June 2024) shows 2,246 Haryana villages now in the critical “red category,” with groundwater falling below 30 meters since 2010.
• Health Crises and Ecological Fallout: Long-term pesticide exposure and polluted water sources have caused public health crises.
  Eg: Punjab’s “Cancer Train” symbolises rising cancer cases linked to pesticide use and soil contamination.
• Monocropping and Loss of Biodiversity: Continuous cultivation of rice and wheat reduced crop diversity and weakened ecological resilience.
  Eg: Displacement of pulses and oilseeds in northern India increased dependence on chemical inputs.
• Climate Impact: Excessive fertiliser use increased greenhouse gas emissions, aggravating global warming.

How a Policy Shift Toward Regenerative Agriculture Offers a Sustainable Solution

• Restoring Soil Health: Regenerative practices rebuild soil organic matter and enhance fertility through natural inputs and crop diversification.
  Eg: Experts recommend raising soil organic carbon beyond 1% to revive productivity in depleted soils of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
• Promoting Nutritional Security: Encouraging the cultivation of pulses and oilseeds improves dietary diversity and soil health through nitrogen fixation.
  Eg: The ₹11,440-crore Mission for Atmanirbharta in Pulses (2025–31) aims to boost production to 350 lakh tonnes.
• Reducing Chemical Dependence: Balanced nutrient management and biological farming in regenerative agriculture help cut fertilizer use and curb pollution.
• Enhancing Climate Resilience: Healthy soils sequester more carbon, improving drought resistance and mitigating climate impacts.
• Collaborative Innovation and Partnerships: Integrating policies, products, practices, and partnerships ensures long-term agricultural transformation.
  Eg: Platforms like Global AgXelerate and partnerships between AgVaya and ICRIER foster agri-innovation and global market linkages.

Conclusion

India must shift from “pet bharna” to “poshan bharna” by promoting regenerative, climate-resilient farming through agri-R&D, crop diversification, and farmer empowerment, ensuring sustainable and nutritious growth.

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