Page 154 - DECO502_INDIAN_ECONOMIC_POLICY_ENGLISH

Indian Economic Policy

Notes • Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, the eminent agricultural scientist, analysing the success of green
revolution in Punjab stated : “The Green Revolution in Punjab is not a miracle.
• As a consequence of the new agricultural technology, India 1 as achieved relative self-sufficiency
in foodgrains and its imports became negligible. India is also able to accumulate large buffer
stock of rice and wheat so that she could face any eventuality resulting from drought in a
particular year or successively in two or three years.
• The annual rate of growth in foodgrains output during nineties was just about 1.7 per cent,
which is much lower than 3.5 percent annual growth recorded in the eighties. The yield rates
have more or less plateaued in major wheat and rice growing areas.
• Green Revolution initiated in the 1960’s centered around the use of semi-dwarf high yielding
varieties responsive to irrigation and chemical fertilizers yielded good results in giving a big
boost to the production of wheat in the first stage and the production of rice in the next stage.
• Scientists in India have been making efforts to develop hybrid varieties of rice and wheat so
that the yield barrier operating at present can be broken. In the case of rice, on-farm-trials of
hybrid rice in Andhra Pradesh Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have been found to yield an average
of 6.8 tonnes per hectare as against 5.2 tonnes obtained from conventional pure-line rice varieties.
• India should make an effort to bring down the seed costs by standardizing hybrid rice seed
production techniques. The Government should also provide hybrid rice seed at subsidised
rates to farmers.
• The UPA Government, after coming to power in 2004, appointed the National Commission on
Farmers under the chairmanship of Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, eminent agricultural scientist.
Farmers have to face the fury of nature in the form of drought, unseasonal and heavy rain
which causes extensive damage to crops.
• Capital formation in agriculture and allied sectors as percentage of Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) started declining in the 80’s and is only now being reversed. This has adversely affected
irrigation and rural infrastructure.
• Outlining the basic philosophy of the National Commission on Farmers, the recommendations
emphasize the need to increase farm productivity and profitity in perpetuity without ecological
harm. If the co-adopts this strategy, the present agricultural crisis then be converted in an
opportunity for not only rever the decline, but for taking our agricultural evolve forward.
12.6 Key-Words

1. Green revolution : A large increase in crop production in developing countries achieved by the
use of fertilizers, pesticides, and high-yield crop varieties.
2. Indebtedness : The state of being indebted.
12.7 Review Questions

1. Discuss the new strategy implemented to improve agricultural sector.
2. What do you mean by Green Revolution? Discuss.
Answers: Self-Assessment

1. (i)(d) (ii)(a) (iii)(a) (iv)(b)
12.8 Further Readings

1. Indian Economy; Gaurav Datt and Aswani Mahajan; S. Chand and Company
LTD. Ram Nagar, New Delhi-110055.
2. The Indian Economy; S.K. Ray; Prentic, Hall of India Private Limited
New Delhi - 110001.

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