What is Green Revolution? Why was it implemented and how did it benefit the farmers? Explain in brief.

Due to low productivity, frequent occurrence of famines and low levels of agricultural products in the latter half of second five year plan, a team was formed to suggest various ways to counter these problems. As per the recommendations of the team, government introduced the use of HYV seeds, modern techniques and inputs like fertilisers, irrigation facilities and subsidised credit. These steps collectively are known as Intensive Area Development Programme (IADP). Consequently, in the year 1967-68, food grains production increased nearly by 25%. Due to this substantial increase of food grains production, this outcome is known as 'Green Revolution'. The word Green Revolution comprises of two words 'Green' that is associated to crops and 'Revolution' is associated to the substantial increase.  

Need of Green Revolution  

The needs of Green Revolution are as follows.

(i) Low Irrigation Facility: The well-irrigated and permanent irrigated area was only 17% in 1951. The major part of area was dependent on rainfall and, consequently, agriculture suffered from low level of production.     

(ii) Conventional and Traditional Approach: The use of conventional inputs and absence of modern techniques further hampered the agricultural productivity.  

(iii) Frequent Occurrence of Famines: Famines in India were very frequent during the period 1940s to 1970s. Further, due to higher growth rate of populations, agriculture failed to grow at the same speed.  

(iv) Lack of Finance (credit): Small and marginal farmers found it very difficult to get  finance and credit at cheap rate from the government and banks ,hence, fell an easy prey to the money lenders. 

(v) Self-sufficiency: Due to the traditional agricultural practices, low productivity, and to feed growing population, often food grains were imported that drained away scarce foreign reserves.It was thought that with the increased production due to Green Revolution, government can maintain buffer stock and India can achieve self-sufficiency and self-reliable. 

(vi) Marketing Agriculture: Agriculture was basically for subsistence and, therefore, less amount of agricultural product was offered for sale in the market. Hence, the need was felt to encourage the farmers to increase their production and offer a greater portion of their products for sale in the market.   

Benefits of Green revolution  

(i) Increase in Income: Green revolution resulted in the increase in the production of wheat and rice by the use of HYV seeds. Its benefits were enjoyed by the wheat and rice growing states such as Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The income of the farmers of these states increased removing rural poverty.

(ii) Impact on Social Revolution: The traditional methods of farming was substituted with modern methods of farming with the use of High yielding seeds, better irrigation facility, use of fertilizers and pesticides. The old social beliefs and customs were destroyed and people were willing to accept changes in technology. 

(iii) Increase in Employment: Due to Green Revolution the seasonal unemployment in the agriculture was reduced to a great extent.

The term Green Revolution refers to the large increase in production of food grains resulting from the use of high yielding variety (HYV) seeds, especially for wheat and rice. It was implemented because at independence, about 75% of the country’s population was dependent on agriculture. 

But the productivity in the agricultural sector was very low because of the old technology and the absence of required infrastructure for the vast majority of farmers. India’s agriculture vitally depends on the monsoon and if monsoon fell short the farmers were in trouble unless they had access to irrigation facilities which very few had.

By the use of HYV seeds, the productivity of food grains increased remarkably and a good proportion of the rice and wheat produced during the green revolution period was sold by the farmers in the market. India achieved self-sufficiency and selfreliability in food grains.

Significant and continuous rise in agricultural production with the use of fertilizers, HYV seeds and irrigation facilities is known as Green Revolution.

At the time of independence, about 75% of the country's population were dependent on agriculture. The productivity in agricultural sector was very low because of the use of old technology and absence of the required infrastructure for the majority of the farmers.

The spread of green revolution technology enabled India to achieve self-sufficiency in food grains. It helped in improving the living standard of farmers. Also, it helped in creating marketable surplus of food grains, especially wheat and rice.