Introduction
The Green Revolution was a major agricultural movement in India that began in the 1960s. It introduced new farming technologies, high-yield crop varieties, and modern irrigation methods. The aim was to increase food production and make India self-sufficient in grains.
Main Features
- Use of High-Yielding Varieties (HYV) of seeds
- Use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides
- Mechanization of farming (tractors, harvesters)
- Expansion of irrigation facilities
Positive Impacts
- Increased food grain production, especially wheat and rice
- Reduced dependency on food imports
- Boosted rural economy in states like Punjab, Haryana, and UP
Negative Impacts
- Unequal benefits – small farmers were left behind
- Overuse of chemicals harmed soil and environment
- Water table depletion due to excessive irrigation
Conclusion
The Green Revolution was a turning point in Indian agriculture. While it solved food scarcity issues, it also created environmental and social challenges. Future strategies should focus on sustainable farming.