The Green Revolution in India, launched in 1966, was a miraculous agricultural transformation that saved the country from mass starvation. Facing consecutive droughts and a humiliating dependence on US food aid (PL-480), the Indian government took a bold gamble. Led by Agriculture Minister C. Subramaniam and scientist Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, India imported 18,000 tonnes of High-Yielding Variety (HYV) wheat seeds from Mexico. These "dwarf" seeds, developed by Norman Borlaug, when combined with irrigation and fertilizers, produced record-breaking yields. The revolution centered in Punjab and Haryana, transforming India from a "begging bowl" to a global agricultural powerhouse, though not without long-term environmental costs.| Feature | Details |
| Launch Year | 1966 (Kharif Season) |
| Key Architects | C. Subramaniam (Minister), M.S. Swaminathan (Scientist) |
| Global Mentor | Dr. Norman Borlaug (Nobel Laureate) |
| Primary Crops | Wheat (Lerma Rojo 64A, Sonora 64) & Rice (IR8) |
| Focus Regions | Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh |
| Key Technology | High Yielding Variety (HYV) Seeds, Chemical Fertilizers, Irrigation |
| Outcome | Food Self-Sufficiency by late 1970s |
The “Ship-to-Mouth” Nightmare
To understand the magnitude of the Green Revolution, one must first understand the hunger of the mid-1960s. India was in a precarious position. Two successive wars (1962 with China, 1965 with Pakistan) and two severe droughts had drained the nation’s granaries.
The situation was so dire that India relied on the PL-480 program from the United States, under which wheat was shipped to India to feed the masses. It was a “ship-to-mouth” existence—if the ships stopped, India starved. Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri even appealed to the nation to skip one meal a week (Shastri Vrat) to save food. But charity came with strings attached; the US used food aid as a geopolitical lever, criticizing India’s policies on Vietnam. India needed a way out, and fast.
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The Mexican Gamble
The solution lay in a remote research station in Mexico, where an American agronomist named Dr. Norman Borlaug had developed a new type of “dwarf” wheat. Unlike tall Indian wheat varieties that would fall over (lodge) when heavily fertilized, these short, sturdy stalks could hold massive grain heads without breaking.
Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, a brilliant geneticist at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), recognized the potential of these seeds. He convinced the Agriculture Minister, C. Subramaniam, to take a massive risk. Against the advice of traditionalists who feared foreign pests and economic ruin, Subramaniam ordered the import of 18,000 tonnes of these Mexican seeds (Lerma Rojo 64A and Sonora 64). It was the largest seed shipment in history at that time.
The Miracle in Punjab
The seeds were distributed primarily in Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh, where the farmers were enterprising and water was available. The government launched a “package deal”: seeds, subsidized fertilizers, pesticides, and credit were provided simultaneously.
The results were instantaneous and shocking. In 1967-68, the wheat harvest jumped to 17 million tonnes—a leap so massive that the existing granaries couldn’t hold it. Schools and cinema halls in Punjab were temporarily turned into godowns to store the surplus grain. The government had to issue a special postage stamp to mark the “Wheat Revolution.”
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Beyond Wheat: The Rice Revolution
While the revolution began with wheat, it soon moved to rice. In 1968, the “Miracle Rice” variety IR8, developed at the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines, was introduced. It yielded 5 to 10 tonnes per hectare, compared to the traditional 1 to 2 tonnes. This ensured that the revolution wasn’t just limited to the wheat-eating belts of the North but spread to the rice bowls of the South and East.
The Socio-Economic Shift
The Green Revolution did more than just fill stomachs; it altered rural society.
- Mechanization: The demand for tractors, harvesters, and electric tube wells skyrocketed, birthing a new agro-industry.
- Rise of the Middle Peasant: A new class of wealthy farmers emerged, particularly in Punjab, who had the capital to invest in the new technology.
- Labour Migration: The intense farming cycles required more labor, drawing workers from Bihar and UP to Punjab, creating a new demographic shift.
The Dark Side of the Green Gold
However, the victory came at a price. The Green Revolution in India is now viewed with a critical eye due to its environmental legacy.
- Water Crisis: The thirsty HYV seeds required flood irrigation. This led to the indiscriminate drilling of tube wells, causing the groundwater table in Punjab and Haryana to plummet dangerously.
- Poisoned Soil: The excessive use of chemical fertilizers (Urea, DAP) and pesticides killed the natural soil biology. Today, the “Cancer Train” that runs from Bathinda to Bikaner carries farmers suffering from cancer, often attributed to pesticide exposure.
- Lost Diversity: Thousands of indigenous varieties of rice and millets were lost as farmers switched to a few high-yielding monocultures, making the food supply vulnerable to new pests.
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Quick Comparison Table: Pre-1966 vs. Post-Revolution
| Feature | Before 1966 (Traditional Farming) | After 1966 (Green Revolution) |
| Dependence | High Imports (PL-480 Aid) | Self-Sufficient / Exporter |
| Seeds Used | Tall, low-yield native varieties | Dwarf High-Yielding Varieties (HYV) |
| Fertilizer | Cow dung, organic manure | Chemical Fertilizers (NPK) |
| Water Source | Rain-fed / Canals | Electric Tube Wells / Groundwater |
| Yield (Wheat) | ~800 kg per hectare | ~3000+ kg per hectare |
| Ecological Impact | Sustainable but low output | High output but soil/water degradation |
Curious Indian: Fast Facts
- The “Shastri Vrat”: During the food crisis, PM Lal Bahadur Shastri stopped cooking in his own kitchen to test if his family could survive on less food before asking the nation to skip a meal.
- The Nobel Prize: Norman Borlaug was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for his work. He famously said, “You can’t build a peaceful world on empty stomachs.”
- A “Biological Engineering” Feat: The new wheat was “dwarf” because tall plants wasted energy growing stems. The dwarf gene directed that energy into making grain.
- The Evergreen Revolution: Decades later, Dr. M.S. Swaminathan himself called for an “Evergreen Revolution”—increasing productivity in perpetuity without ecological harm.
Conclusion
The Green Revolution in India (1966) remains one of the greatest achievements of modern India. It was a war against hunger, won not by soldiers but by scientists and farmers. It gave India the dignity of self-reliance. However, as the soil in Punjab gasps for breath today, it serves as a reminder that nature cannot be conquered, only cooperated with. The challenge for the next generation of the Curious Indian is to find a balance—to feed the billion without bleeding the earth.
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If you think you have remembered everything about this topic take this QUIZ
Results
#1. Which scientist is credited as the key architect of the Green Revolution in India?
#2. Before the Green Revolution, India was heavily dependent on food aid from the US under which program?
#3. What was the specific characteristic of the Mexican wheat seeds developed by Norman Borlaug?
#4. Which Indian Prime Minister asked the nation to skip one meal a week (Shastri Vrat) during the food crisis?
#5. The Green Revolution was primarily centered in which Indian states?
#6. Which “Miracle Rice” variety was introduced in 1968 to spread the revolution to rice-growing areas?
#7. The “Cancer Train” running from Bathinda to Bikaner is a grim reminder of which negative impact of the revolution?
#8. In which year was the Green Revolution officially launched in India?
Who is known as the Father of the Green Revolution in India?
Dr. M.S. Swaminathan is considered the Father of the Green Revolution in India for his leadership in introducing and adapting HYV seeds.
Which crops were the main focus of the Green Revolution?
The revolution primarily focused on Wheat and Rice. Other crops like pulses and oilseeds were largely left behind initially.
Why was 1966 the turning point?
In 1966, following severe droughts, India made the critical policy decision to import 18,000 tonnes of Mexican wheat seeds, launching the High-Yielding Varieties Programme (HYVP).
Which states benefited most from the Green Revolution?
Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh benefited the most due to their existing irrigation infrastructure and adaptable farming communities.
What are the negative impacts of the Green Revolution?
Major negative impacts include groundwater depletion, soil degradation due to chemical overuse, and the loss of indigenous crop biodiversity.
