it about advantages and disadvantages of green revolution and its effect on INDIA especially Punjab.

2. PUNJAB
food basket of INDIA
Punjab produces 1% of rice, 2% of wheat and 2% of cotton of the
world, leading all the states in per hectare yield of all these crops. Its
per capita income (2006) at Rs 28,605 is way above the national
average of just Rs 6,929. Punjab also claims a 100% rural electrification
as well as almost 99% connectivity of villages by road against the
national average of just over 40%.
The real GDP growth of Punjab from 2007-08 to 2008-09 has been
about 14% as compared to its neighbor Haryana that grew at about
18% during the same period. This is an indicator of the growth
stagnation for Punjab’s economy that’s highly dependent upon
agriculture to an extent of 65%.
Is this all because of GREEN REVOLUTION…....?

3. The beginnings of the Green Revolution are often
attributed to Norman Borlaug, an American scientist
interested in agriculture.
Dr. Norman E. Borlaug receives the Congressional Gold
Medal in 2007. Burlaug , a 1970 Nobel Laureate, was
honored for his work in the ‘Green Revolution’, saving
millions of lives from famine in India , Mexico, and the
Middle East.
HISTORY OF GREEN REVOLUTION

4. What was the green revolution?
• A movement starting post WWII to address food shortages
in developing countries
• International relief organizations invested in research to
breed more productive rice and wheat crops
• New agricultural technologies were brought to India-
fertilizer, agrochemicals, new types of irrigation

5. Methods used in Green Revolution
Double/Multiple cropping system
Seeds with superior genetics
Proper irrigation system
HYV seed
Use of pesticides and fertilizers
Use of modern machinery(tractor , harvestor etc)

6. High Yielding Varieties
 Seeds are highly responsive to
certain key inputs such as
fertilizers and irrigation water.
 In the absence of additional
inputs of fertilizers and water,
the new seeds perform worse
than indigenous varieties.
 The gain in output is
insignificant compared to the
increase in inputs.

7. Why was a revolution needed?
 Famine had ripped though parts of India in the past, and many
economists and agricultural scientists predicted worse famine in the
future is a new plan was not put in place
 Overpopulation was stretching India’s food resources
 Government inability to ensure proper movement of good to areas
that were in need

8. Achievements of the Green Revolution
 1. As a result of the Green Revolution our country has become self-
sufficient in food grains.
 2. As a result of the Green Revolution we have been able to create
buffer stocks of food grains which can be used in the event of natural
calamities such as droughts and floods which result in fall in crop
production.
 3. The Green Revolution has changed the life style of our farmers. Due
to higher crop yields, they are able to earn more money and hence can
lead a better life.
 4. As a result of the Green Revolution, the demand for various
agricultural inputs has increased tremendously. This has created a large
number of employment opportunities.

10. a
Is this growth
sustainable?
But

11. Limitation 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 pesticides use.
 The new organic fertilizer, pesticides and chemicals are running the
soil.
 Lead to unemployment and Rural-Urban Immigration

12. Green revolution:Environmental
impacts
 Intensification of agriculture causes
environmental harm:
Pollution from synthetic fertilizers.
Pollution from synthetic
pesticides.
Water depleted for irrigation.
Fossil fuels used for heavy
equipment.
 However, without the green revolution,
much more land (wastage)would have
been converted for agriculture ,
destroying forests, wetlands, and other
ecosystems

13. Increased use of pesticides
 Because of their narrow genetic
base, HYVs are inherently
vulnerable to major pests and
diseases.
 Large-scale monoculture
provides a large and often
permanent niche for pests,
turning minor diseases into
epidemics
 In addition, fertilizers have been
found to lower plants' resistance
to pests.
 The result has been a massive
increase in the use of pesticides,
in itself creating still further pest
problems due to the
emergence of pesticide-
resistant pests.

14. Disadvantages of the green
Revolution
 Poor farmers could not afford
HYV’s(high yield varieties)
fertilizers and machinery.
 Some borrowed and ended up
with large debts.
 HYV’s need more water and
fertilizer, which is expensive.
 New machinery replaced
manual labour leading to
unemployment and rural –Urban
migration.

15. What were the ecological
consequences?
 Problems with soil fertility
 Micronutrient issues
 Increased Dependence of
external application of fertilizers.
 Water quality issues.
 Ecological degradation caused
returns to decrease at the years
went on.
 Loss of diversity.
 Improper application of
pesticides caused poisoning.
Activist poster from the
1980s calling for an end to
pesticide use

16. What were the social and political
consequences.
 Changed the nature of agriculture, from
internal to external inputs (buying seed, fertilizer
etc.)
 The rapid increase in grain in the first several
years drove down the price of food, harder for
small farmers to make a profit
 It increased competition for smaller resources,
rural inequality
 Decreasing return on investments caused many farmers
to blame government
 Feelings of resentment among farmers
 Farm riots

17. Crisis in Punjab in 1970’s

18. Conclusion
 Green revolution is fruitful for production, but only for wheat
production.
 Punjab is the only state in India which production was increases
rapidly.
 In terms of Fertilizer usage in Agricultural-sector, consumption of
Punjab is higher then any other state of India.
 During Green revolution i.e. 1967-93 the percentage of labour in
agriculture sector were increasing hence decreasing there wages.
 During 1967-93 the usage of bullocks was decreasing rapidly and
increase in tractor usage i.e. they were unemployed.

19. IS FOOD BASKET
HEALTY ?
 Punjab consumes highest amount of fertilizers in the country
 amounting to almost 10% of the national consumption with just 1.5% of the
geographical area of the country.
 According to a research done by Punjab Agricultural University in 2007,
Punjab has already lost 5.1 mn tonnes of nitrogen, 2.5mn tonnes of
phosphorous and 4.7mn tonnes of potassium.
 On top of it, the water level in Punjab has been falling by 50 to 70 cm every
year which is another matter of concern.
 And already, 97% of the cultivable land is under plough indicating no further
expansion of the cultivable land

21.  Land consolidation.
 Small or marginal farmers have found it difficult to benefit from HYVs,
machinery and fertilizers in their fields due to which the wealth disparities
have widened further than before.
 Installing pumps and using higher amount of fertilizers have increased the
cost of production, thereby increasing the average debt taken by the
farmers.
In such a situation, the chances of long term sustainability of the supernatural
productivity levels are very dim.
Also, Every year, a lot of subsidies have to be provided to the farmers in form of
cheap electricity, loan waivers and lower interest rates. These costs are seldom
counted as the costs of production in awarding the success crown to Punjab.
BUT

22. It’s high time that Punjab government takes note of the
worsening situation in the region and creates alternative
employment opportunities for its citizens. But more
importantly, it should start conducting intensive researches
on the situation of agriculture in the state and plan well
ahead for its sustainability. Otherwise, the food basket can
again turn into a beggary bowl for its citizens.
BEGGARY BOWL…?

23. Presented By
Mohit Jaswani