CREDIT SEMINARON

HISTORY OF GREEN REVOLUTION

PRESENTED BY: RAHULMSC(F)DEPT: -ENERGY&ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCEC.D.L.U SIRSA

A green revolution is a movement for a period of increased agricultural harvesting, which is facilitated through the use of more efficient agricultural technology, pesticides and genetically modified plants. Using these methods agricultural output can be increased by up to 90% with a year.

  The idea to increase the amount of food harvested to

avoid the inevitable food crisis that we are soon to see as well as giving third world countries resources that can put them on the path to self-sufficiency.

WHAT IS MEANING OF GREEN REVOLUTION

Green revolution refers to a series of research, development, and technology transfer initiatives occurring between the 1940s and the late 1970s, that increased agriculture production around the world, beginning most markedly in the 1960s.

The initiatives led by Norman Borlaug. The “father of the green revolution” credited with saving over a billion people from starvation, involved the development of high-yielding varieties of cereal grains, expansion of irrigation infrastructure, modernization of management techniques, distribution of hybridized seeds, synthetic fertilizers and pesticide to farmers.

WHAT IS GREEN REVOLUTION REASON FOR GREEN REVOLUTION AND FOUNDER

The term “green revolution” was first used in 1968 by former united states agency for International Development (USAID) director William gaud, who noted the spread of the new technologies and said,

CONT.

The crop developed during the green revolution were high yield varieties meaning they were domesticated plants bred specifically to respond to fertilizers

The terms often used with these plants that make them successful are harvest index. Photosynthetic allocation and insensitivity to day length. The harvest index refers to the above ground weight of the plant. During the green revolution, plants that had the largest seeds were selected to create the most production possible. After selectively breeding these plants. They evolved to all have the characteristic of larger seeds. These larger seeds then created more grain yield and a heavier above ground weight.

 PLANT TECHNOLOGIES OF THE GREEN REVOLUTION

Since fertilizers are largely what made the green revolution possible they forever changed agricultural practices because the high yield varieties developed during this time cannot grow successfully without the help of fertilizers

Irrigation also played a large role in the green revolution and this forever changed the areas where various crops can be grown. For instance before the green revolution agriculture was severely limited to areas with a significant amount of rainfall but by using irrigation water can be stored and sent to drier areas putting more land into agricultural production thus increasing nationwide crop yields.

IMPACTS OF THE GREEN REVOLUTION

Political impact: Socioeconomic impacts: Globalization: Biodiversity: Health impact:

IMPACTS OF THE GREEN REVOLUTION

Along with the benefits gained from the green revolution there have been several criticisms the first is that the increased amount of food production has led to overpopulation worldwide.

The second major criticism is that places like Africa have not significantly from the green revolution the major problems surrounding the use of these technologies here though are a lack of infrastructure governmental corruption and insecurity in nations.

Despite these criticisms though the green revolution has forever changed the way agriculture is conducted worldwide benefiting the people of many nations in need of increased food production.

CRITICISM OF THE GREEN REVOLUTION

Double/multiple cropping system Seeds with superior genetics Proper irrigation system High yielding variety(HYV) of seeds Use of pesticides and fertilizers Use of modern machinery(Tractor,

Harvester, Thrasher) Expansion of farming areas

METHODS USED IN GREEN REVOLUTION

In the 1960s. there was concern from the Indian government that the country would not be able to grow enough food to support the ever increasing population, so they put into place what was called the ‘Green revolution’ The idea of the ‘Green revolution’ was too use technology to increase food output and as a result, over the last 50 years a series of changes have taken place in farming in India with the introduction of more ‘western-type’ farming techniques what changes in farming in India did the green revolution bring about?

 INDIA’S GREEN REVOLUTION:

SUCCESSES, FAILURES AND SECOND GREEN REVOLUTION

 

LAND REFORM Efficient farming was difficult in India due to the many small farms

(75%less than 3ha) which had become a product of the laws of divided inheritance (with farms being split b/w the sons of the farmer on his death) many of the poor didn’t even own land whereas large amounts of land were owned by a few rich land owners the solution was land reform aimed to increase farm size setting a limit on the amount of land the more wealthy could own and redistributing surplus land to those without.

 HIGH YIELDING VARIETIES The problem existing rice varieties grew rapidly but very tall so fell over

easily and had to be grown quite far apart the solution was development of new high yielding varieties of rice resulting in the development of new rice plant known as IR8. This was shorter and stronger could be planted much closer to gather enabling more crop per area had a shorter growing season and produced almost 3-4 times as much yield per hectare.

MECHANISATION Irrigation schemes including the introducing of

electric/diesel pumps to help ensure a more steady and reliable source of water for the new IR8 HYVs and large scale projects such as the Narmada river project.

As the introduction and other ‘western’ style technology was not as successful as first hoped Alternative Appropriate technology has been introduced which is suited to the local people s wealth skills and knowledge for example low cost irrigation schemes etc. What were the successes of the green revolution? (1) hybrid seeds technology etc.(2) increase in food production

Failures of the green revolution: Many farmers the cost of machinery was too much and they

simply couldn’t afford it as well as the high initial outlay money was also required for fuel and repair.

Many very poor farmers were tenant farmers with little money to buy even the new seeds or fertilizer that was required.

New irrigation schemes were required to provide the reliable source of water required by the HYVs (High yielding varieties of rice).

Fertilizers and pesticides required by the HYVs also led to serious environmental problems.

 

SECOND GREEN REVOLUTION

The first green revolution was launched to ensure food security as there was severe scarcity of food in the country today our food supply is well secure meeting the growing needs is within reach Therefore the second green revolution should aim at promoting sustainable livelihood enabling the poor to come out of poverty by generating gainful self-employment while the first green revolution aimed at undertaking mass agricultural production the second green revolution should be to promote agricultural production by the masses.

This can be adopted by the farmers in arid and semi-arid regions and those who are dependent on rainfall for crop production.

 

Agroforestry on degraded lands:

Sustainable livelihood being the major concern the second green revolution should focus on generation of employment for small and marginal farmers, while enhancing agricultural production in unirrigated areas. Tree-based farming can also provide year round employment while protecting the soil from erosion and runoff of rain water promotion of tree based farming will also enrich soil fertility and increase the water table while absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide all-round the year.

The time is now ripe for second green revolution. India has tremendous export potential in agriculture in

present era of globalization. In second green revolution emphasis should be laid

on:  Nonfood grains Improving global market opportunities Improving rural infrastructure Improving irrigation, rural roads and rural

electrification.

NEED FOR SECOND GREEN REVOLUTION:

Continued expansion of farming areas: Green revolution continued with quantitative expansion of farmlands.  Double-cropping existing farmland: Instead of one crop season per year, the decision was made to have two

crop season per year. There had to be two “monsoons “per year.one would be the natural

‘monsoons’ per year.one would be the natural ‘monsoon ‘and the other an artificial ‘monsoon’.

Using seeds with superior genetics: This was the scientific aspect of the green revolution to use High yielding

variety (HVY) of seeds.

 BASIC ELEMENTS IN GREEN

REVOLUTION

High yielding varieties of seed Chemical fertilizers Irrigation Multiple cropping Modern agricultural machinery Credit facilities Agricultural research Plant protection Rural electrification Soil testing and soil conservation

CAUSES OF GREEN REVOLUTION:

Increase in production Capitalistic farming Effect on rural employment Reduction in imports of food grains Development of industries Effects on prices Base for economic growth Effect on consumers Effect on planning Increase in trade Change in thinking of farmers

EFFECTS OF GREEN REVOLUTION:

Yields increased three times. Multiple cropping. Other crops grown which varied the diet. Surplus to sell in cities creating a profit

improving the standard of living. Allows purchase of fertilizers, machinery etc. India becomes self-sufficient in food grains

 ADVANTAGES OF GREEN REVOLUTION:

The green revolution, howsoever impressive, but not a 100% success.

Only Punjab and Haryana states showed best results of green revolution.

The new farming techniques, has given birth to the Serious pollution of drinking water causing cancer and other diseases.

A recent Punjabi university study found a high rate of genetic damage among farmers, which was attributed to pesticide use.

The new organic fertilizers, pesticides and chemicals are ruining the soil.

Lead to unemployment and rural-urban Immigration. 

 LIMITATIONS OF GREEN REVOLUTION:

As a technological innovation the green revolution replaced “one way of life in another in short span of two decades”.

The topic learned from this green revolution should enable policy makers to reduce the adverse effects of the coming bio revolution based on genetic engineering.

  

CONCLUSION:

REFERENCE: Hazell, Peter B.R.

(2009). The Asian Green Revolution. IFPRI Discussion Paper (Intl Food Policy Res Inst).

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