The Green Revolution refers to a period during the 1960s and 70s when India adopted new agricultural techniques to boost food production. Spearheaded by agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan and supported by government policies, the Green Revolution introduced high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilizers, irrigation, and modern machinery. While it helped India achieve self-sufficiency in food grains, particularly wheat and rice, its economic and social impacts were far-reaching and complex.
Increased Agricultural Production
One of the most significant economic outcomes was a dramatic increase in food grain production. India moved from a food-deficit country dependent on imports and aid to a food-surplus nation. Between 1965 and 1975, wheat production nearly tripled in states like Punjab and Haryana, transforming the agricultural economy of these regions.
Rise in Farmer Incomes
Farmers who adopted the new technology, particularly in well-irrigated regions, saw a significant rise in their incomes. They could cultivate multiple crops per year and benefit from higher yields and better market access. This helped stimulate rural consumption and demand for goods and services.
Boost to Allied Sectors
The Green Revolution also spurred growth in related sectors like fertilizer and pesticide industries, agricultural machinery manufacturing, and rural banking. It laid the foundation for modern agribusiness in India and opened up employment in non-farming rural sectors.
Regional Disparities
However, the benefits were not evenly distributed. States with better irrigation and infrastructure (Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh) gained the most, while rain-fed and backward regions like eastern India and the Deccan plateau lagged behind. This widened regional economic inequalities.
Rise in Food Security
The Green Revolution played a key role in ensuring food security for India’s growing population. The fear of famine diminished significantly, and India no longer had to rely heavily on food imports. This helped stabilize rural livelihoods and reduced starvation-related deaths.
Social Inequality
While some farmers prospered, small and marginal farmers often couldn't afford expensive inputs like HYV seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation equipment. Wealthier farmers with access to credit and land consolidated their power, worsening class divides in rural areas. Tenant farmers and landless laborers sometimes lost out as mechanization reduced the demand for labor.
Gender Inequality
Women were largely left out of the Green Revolution's benefits. Access to land, credit, and technology remained limited for women farmers. Moreover, as agricultural work became more capital-intensive, opportunities for women to participate in farming activities declined.
Soil Degradation and Water Depletion
The overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides led to soil degradation in many regions. Groundwater was excessively exploited, especially in Punjab and Haryana, resulting in declining water tables. These ecological issues are now threatening the sustainability of farming in these areas.
The focus on wheat and rice led to monoculture farming, reducing crop diversity. Traditional farming methods and indigenous seed varieties were abandoned, affecting both environmental resilience and local food cultures.
The government invested in rural infrastructure such as irrigation systems, warehouses, and rural electrification. The Public Distribution System (PDS) was strengthened to distribute surplus food grains, benefiting poor and vulnerable sections of society.
Emergence of Farmer Movements
The growing disparities and rising aspirations gave rise to farmer movements and cooperatives in several states. These movements demanded better prices, subsidies, and rural reforms, influencing agricultural policy in later decades.
The Green Revolution was a turning point in India’s agricultural and economic history. It helped India overcome food scarcity, empowered many farmers economically, and laid the groundwork for modern agribusiness. However, it also deepened socio-economic inequalities, marginalized small farmers, and triggered environmental problems that continue to persist. Going forward, India needs a "Second Green Revolution" that is more inclusive, sustainable, and equitable—one that addresses not just productivity, but also the well-being of all stakeholders in the agricultural ecosystem.