Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The Green Revolution, initiated in the 1960s, dramatically increased India’s food grain production, averting famine and establishing food security. However, its benefits were largely confined to Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh, leading to regional disparities and environmental concerns like groundwater depletion and soil degradation. By the early 2000s, it became evident that sustaining agricultural growth required a more holistic and inclusive approach, leading to advocacy for a ‘Second Green Revolution’ – one that addressed these shortcomings and extended its benefits to all regions and farmers. The National Commission on Farmers, chaired by Professor M.S. Swaminathan, played a pivotal role in formulating a roadmap for this transformation.
Reasons for Advocating a Second Green Revolution
The need for a Second Green Revolution stemmed from several factors:
- Regional Imbalance: The first Green Revolution largely bypassed eastern India, leading to persistent agrarian distress and farmer suicides in states like Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal.
- Sustainability Concerns: Intensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides led to soil degradation, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity.
- Declining Public Investment: A decline in public investment in agricultural research, irrigation, and rural infrastructure hampered productivity growth.
- Small and Marginal Farmers: The benefits of the first Green Revolution primarily accrued to large landowners, leaving small and marginal farmers behind.
- Climate Change Vulnerability: Increasing climate variability and extreme weather events posed a significant threat to agricultural production.
Recommendations of the National Commission on Farmers (Swaminathan Commission)
The National Commission on Farmers (2006) submitted a comprehensive report with numerous recommendations aimed at achieving a Second Green Revolution. Key recommendations include:
Addressing Agrarian Distress
- Minimum Support Price (MSP): Guaranteeing a minimum support price at least 50% more than the cost of production (C2+50%). This was aimed at providing farmers with a fair price for their produce and reducing their vulnerability to market fluctuations.
- Debt Waiver and Moratorium: Implementing debt waivers and moratoriums on loan repayments for farmers facing financial distress.
Enhancing Productivity and Sustainability
- Integrated Nutrient Management: Promoting the use of organic manures, bio-fertilizers, and integrated nutrient management practices to improve soil health and reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers.
- Water Management: Investing in irrigation infrastructure, promoting water conservation techniques like micro-irrigation, and encouraging rainwater harvesting.
- Seed Development: Strengthening agricultural research and development to develop climate-resilient and high-yielding crop varieties.
Empowering Farmers and Rural Communities
- Land Reforms: Accelerating land reforms to ensure equitable access to land for landless farmers and tenants.
- Credit Access: Improving access to affordable credit for farmers, particularly small and marginal farmers.
- Rural Infrastructure: Investing in rural infrastructure like roads, storage facilities, and marketing infrastructure to improve market access and reduce post-harvest losses.
- Extension Services: Strengthening agricultural extension services to provide farmers with timely information and technical assistance.
Diversification and Value Addition
- Diversification towards High-Value Crops: Encouraging farmers to diversify towards high-value crops like fruits, vegetables, and spices.
- Food Processing Industry: Promoting the development of the food processing industry to add value to agricultural produce and create employment opportunities.
The Commission also advocated for a shift towards a ‘pro-nature, pro-poor, pro-women’ and pro-youth’ approach to agriculture, emphasizing the importance of ecological sustainability, social equity, and gender empowerment.
Conclusion
The Second Green Revolution, as envisioned by the National Commission on Farmers, represents a paradigm shift in Indian agriculture. It moves beyond merely increasing production to focus on sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience. While significant progress has been made in some areas, full implementation of the Commission’s recommendations remains a challenge. Continued investment in agricultural research, rural infrastructure, and farmer empowerment is crucial to achieving a truly sustainable and equitable agricultural system that ensures food security for all Indians and addresses the challenges of climate change.
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.