Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The Green Revolution, initiated in the 1960s by M.S. Swaminathan and others, dramatically increased India’s food grain production, particularly wheat and rice. It involved the development and adoption of High Yielding Varieties (HYVs) alongside increased use of fertilizers and irrigation. However, the benefits of this agricultural transformation were largely concentrated in the western and northern regions of India – Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh. Despite possessing fertile soil and abundant water resources, the eastern region – comprising states like Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, and Odisha – remained largely bypassed by the Green Revolution.
Reasons for the Bypass of Eastern India
Several interconnected factors contributed to the limited success of the Green Revolution in Eastern India:
1. Irrigation Infrastructure
- Limited Irrigation Coverage: Unlike the western regions with well-developed canal systems (e.g., the Bhakra-Nangal project), Eastern India relied heavily on monsoon rains. The erratic nature of the monsoon led to frequent droughts and floods, making HYV cultivation risky. As of 2021, irrigation coverage in Eastern India was significantly lower than in Western India.
- Groundwater Depletion: While groundwater was available, its exploitation was limited by the lack of affordable pumping technology and electricity access.
2. Land Holding Patterns
- Fragmented Land Holdings: Eastern India is characterized by small and fragmented land holdings. This made it difficult to adopt capital-intensive technologies associated with the Green Revolution, such as tractors and combine harvesters.
- Lack of Consolidation: Attempts at land consolidation, crucial for efficient farming, were largely unsuccessful due to socio-political complexities and resistance from landowners.
3. Credit and Market Access
- Inadequate Credit Facilities: Small and marginal farmers in the East faced difficulties accessing institutional credit, forcing them to rely on informal sources with high-interest rates.
- Poor Market Infrastructure: Lack of adequate storage facilities, transportation networks, and market information hindered farmers’ ability to sell their produce at remunerative prices.
4. Socio-Economic Constraints
- Social Inequalities: Existing social hierarchies and inequalities limited access to resources and opportunities for marginalized farmers.
- Low Literacy Levels: Lower literacy rates hindered the adoption of new agricultural technologies and practices.
5. Policy Biases
- Focus on Wheat and Rice: The Green Revolution primarily focused on wheat and rice, neglecting other important crops grown in the Eastern region, such as jute, tea, and pulses.
- Input Subsidies: Subsidies on fertilizers and irrigation were disproportionately benefited the already prosperous farmers in the western regions.
6. Natural Disasters
- Frequent Floods and Cyclones: The Eastern region is highly vulnerable to natural disasters like floods and cyclones, which frequently damage crops and infrastructure. This increased the risk associated with agricultural investments.
| Feature | Western Region (Punjab, Haryana) | Eastern Region (Bihar, West Bengal) |
|---|---|---|
| Irrigation Coverage | High (Canal Systems) | Low (Monsoon Dependent) |
| Land Holding Size | Large & Consolidated | Small & Fragmented |
| Credit Access | Easy (Institutional Credit) | Difficult (Informal Sources) |
| Market Infrastructure | Well Developed | Poorly Developed |
Conclusion
The bypassing of Eastern India by the Green Revolution highlights the importance of region-specific agricultural policies. Addressing the infrastructural deficits, promoting land consolidation, improving credit access, and strengthening market linkages are crucial for unlocking the agricultural potential of the region. A renewed focus on climate-resilient agriculture and diversification of crops, alongside targeted government interventions, is essential to ensure inclusive and sustainable agricultural growth in Eastern India. The recent focus on schemes like the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund aims to address some of these issues, but sustained and coordinated efforts are needed.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.