Agricultural Revolutions in India – Development of India’s Agriculture sector

Indian-Economy - Assam Exam

Agriculture contributes a significant portion of the Indian Economy. The Govt of India has taken several measures for growth and improvement. India is the highest net cropped country in the world, USA and China are next. Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shashtri made ‘Food Self-Sufficiency’ one of India’s top economic priorities. He gave the “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan” slogan and launched Green Revolution under Indian Geneticist M.S Swaminathan. It completely changed the face of Indian Agriculture.

Revolutions related to Food Production and Food Processing

1. Pink Revolution – Meat and Poultry Production.

  • Pink Revolution is a term used to denote the technological revolutions in the meat and poultry processing sector. India being a country of huge cattle and poultry population, has high potential for growth if this sector is modernized.

2. Red Revolution – Meat & Tomato Production.

  • The production of tomatoes and meat in India. Vishal Tiwari was the father of the revolution. The technical changes like improved quality of seed, cold storage facility, and transportation propelled 66% of growth. And resulted, in an average 3.1% pa increase in the growth of tomatoes and meat. This revolution gave major results between 1980-2008.

3. Round Revolution – Potato Revolution.

  • Government of India started this revolution in order to increase production and increase the new variety of Potatoes. Although it started in 1965 it continued till 2005. Farmers get good monetary rewards because of the national and international demands for Potatoes.

4. Silver Fiber Revolution – Cotton Revolution.

  • Cotton manufacturing is associated with the Silver Fibre Revolution. The Technology Mission on Cotton, Mini Mission-I, was launched in February 2000, along with three other Mini Missions, with the goal of improving cotton production and productivity while maintaining internationally competitive fiber quality.
  • Nine of India’s most important cotton-growing states are implementing the program. They are Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, Karnataka, Gujarat and Rajasthan.

5. Silver Revolution – Egg/Poultry Production.

  • Egg production in India has grown tremendously due to the use of new techniques and technology to increase the efficiency of chicken farming. In the 1970s, the “Silver Revolution” began, and medical research and innovation played a vital part. It lasted for nine years and helped India overtake China and the United States as the world’s third-largest producer of eggs.
  • As a result of Indian government initiatives, commercial enterprises like Venkys, together with scientists and veterinarians, the country’s egg output has increased.
  • Poultry productivity was significantly increased due to scientists’ use of cocks and hens in the creation of the Silver Revolution.

6. White Revolution – Milk/Dairy production (Operation Flood).

  • The revolution was influenced by the success story of the Amul Milk Cooperative Society in Gujarat. Which began in the year 1946 as a revolt against the middlemen or local trade conglomerates, who would exploit Milk farmers.
  • Tribhuvan das Patel decided to form a cooperative society for milk producers where farmers would collectively decide their price and sell directly to the dairy. The new concept instantly hit and paved the way for India’s “White Revolution”. 
  • The exponential growth of Amul influenced Lal Bahadur Shastri so much that he wanted all the states in India should set up a Cooperative society like Amul. Thus in 1965 National Dairy development board was established to formulate a Dairy development program under Dr. Verghese Kurien
  • Father of the White Revolution”..
  • He started “Operation Flood” which was launched in 1970 in 4 cities Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. Interestingly the funds were generated from the food aid of milk products given to India by the United Nations world food program.

7. Yellow Revolution – Oil Seeds production.

  • Yellow Revolution in agriculture refers to the growth in edible oil production from 1986 to 1987. Total 9 oilseeds namely groundnut, mustard, soybean, safflower, sesame, sunflower, linseed, and castor were aimed to increase oil production. The implantation of hybrid mustard and sesame seeds oil boosted the revolution. A tremendous increase in Sunflower farming in Punjab built new opportunities for Farmers. 

8. Blue Revolution – Fish Production.

  • It refers to a series of initiatives and measures aimed at the sustainable development of the country’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.
  • In 2015, Mr Hiralal Chaudhry proposed the blue revolution. The fishing and aquaculture industries play an important role in food production. Nutritional security and agricultural exports are greatly impacted by the fishing industry. Farmed operations utilized 15 million people, demonstrating that this industry offers stable work and a means of survival.
  • The Indian government established the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) to preserve this industry. It enhances fish production and improves the infrastructure related to fisheries.

9. Brown Revolution – Cocoa production.

  • Its aim is to attain the required supply for a huge demand for coffee from developed nations. Therefore, it focuses on increasing the production of eco-friendly coffee.

10. Golden Fibre Revolution – Jute Production.

  • The development of Jute production. It’s called Golden Fibre because of its color and high monetary value.
  • Jute was used as a raw material in the fabric industry during the industrial revolution and is still being used. Now it is one of the important raw materials for the Paper Industry as well.
  • Besides Jute enhances the organic fertility of the soil. It started when the Golden Revolution was taking place from 1991 to 2003. 

11. Golden Revolution – Overall Horticulture development/Honey Production.

  • The duration between 1991 to 2003 is referred to as the Golden Revolution. During these years the productivity in the horticulture sector, Honey, and Fruits increased remarkably.
  • The planned investment and new technology helped in making these sectors sustainable livelihood and nutrition options. Currently, India is leading in the production of fruits like Mangoes, Bananas, Coconut, etc.

12. Green Revolution – Agriculture in general.

  • For the first time, ever High yielding variety (HYV) seeds were introduced in India in 1960. These seeds were drought and pest resistant.
  • Since Punjab, Haryana, and Tamil Nadu had sufficient irrigation facilities It was launched first in these states.
  • The first focus was on Rice/Wheat Crops cash crops like cotton, Jute, and oilseeds were excluded from it.
  • The most neglected resource of agriculture, the irrigation facility was developed.
  • Other areas such as fertilizers, pesticides, and weedicides were also improved.
  • Tractors, Harvesters, and Drill modern machinery was introduced to promote commercial farming.
  • The Green Revolution gave new impetus to Agriculture in India. The Per Hectare Yield increased from 850 KG in 1960 to 2281 kg in 1990.