Does India need a second Green Revolution for freedom from food scarcity?


Till the 70s, India imported food and depended on foreign donors. Famines were common. Lack of development and modern technology, faulty food distribution, and other factors led to a big chunk of population going hungry and unable to feed. Malnutrition and starvation were the biggest problems facing the country. Food grains had to be imported as traditional agricultural practices, with low productivity, were unable to sustain a growing population. There was strain on foreign exchange reserves.

Green Revolution increased food grain production several times

Green Revolution happened in the 1970s. Modern agriculture technology ushered in the era of increased output. It led to increased agricultural production, helping Indian government to maintain buffer food grain stocks. India gained self-reliance and self-sufficiency. The new methods were led by American agronomist and humanitarian Norman Borlaug, also called Father of Green Revolution. He received Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for saving a billion people from starvation. His methods involved development of high-yielding varieties (HYV) of cereal grains, expansion in irrigation infrastructure, modernization of agriculture management techniques and methods, use of hybrid seeds, and chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Indian scientist M S Swaminathan also made valuable contribution to the Green Revolution.

From food importer to self-sufficiency: Great strides for India

India was an importer of food grains. Due to traditional agricultural practices, low productivity, and a growing population, food grains had to be imported. That drained the already scarce foreign reserves. Green Revolution was initiated with help from US-based Rockefeller Foundation. It's cornerstone was new seed varieties developed in Mexico and the Philippines. Of the HYVs, wheat returned the best results. Area under HYV, which was 1.9 million hectares in 1960, jumped spectacularly to about 15.4 million by 1970, 43.1 million by 1980 and 63.9 million by 1990.
The Green Revolution proved beneficial particularly for Third World Countries that were developing at that time. Most of them were gaining independence during those times—India being one of them. The Revolution lead to adoption of new agriculture technology like HYVs, irrigation facilities, fertilizers, and novel modes of cultivation like mechanization of farmlands involving use of heavy machinery like tractors. The new practices superseded the previous traditional ones.

USAID official first to use the term the “Green Revolution”

The phrase "Green Revolution" was used for the first time in 1968 by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) director William Gaud.
Speaking on the development of new agriculture technologies, he says: "These and other developments in the field of agriculture contain the makings of a new revolution. It is not a violent Red Revolution like that of the Soviets, nor is it a White Revolution like that of the Shah of Iran. I call it the Green Revolution.”

Traditional agriculture not enough to feed growing population

Due to the increased production from the Green Revolution, the Indian governmentwas able to maintain buffer stock of food grains. The Revolution enabled developing countries such as India overcome poor agricultural productivity. The new agricultural movement gained momentum particularly in the northern states of India, including Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

India needs a second Green Revolution

However, problems of hunger and starvation continue to afflict the country. The increase in agricultural output in the 1980s and 1990s failed to keep pace with the fast growing population. A big part of the Indian population continues to suffer from hunger. On Global Hunger Index, India stands at 97th position. According to a report by International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), one-sixth of population is undernourished; 190 million go hungry daily. About 30% children below 5 years of age are underweight. India accounts for 30% of neo-natal deaths internationally, linked to malnutrition. Perhaps, it is time for a second Green Revolution and remembering the invaluable contribution of Norman Borlaugh as India celebrates its 70th Independence Day.
The article first appeared on CXOToday.com by the same author.

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