Question

Your grandfather, a farmer, was a young boy when the Green Revolution began. What does he tell you about the pros and cons of the Green Revolution.

Answer 1

My grandfather, a farmer, witnessed the Green Revolution in his childhood. Here's a summary of his observations on the positives and cons of this revolutionary moment. According to my grandfather, the Green Revolution brought several advantages:

1. Increased Crop Yields: High-yielding crop varieties and sophisticated farming techniques increased crop productivity and improved food security.
2. Improved Livelihoods: Increased agricultural yields lead to higher incomes for farmers, ultimately improving their living standards.
3. Food Self-Sufficiency: The Green Revolution helped the country become self-sufficient in food production, resulting in a steady food supply.

However, my grandfather also highlighted certain disadvantages associated with the Green Revolution:

1. Environmental Impact: Overuse of chemical fertilisers and pesticides has caused soil deterioration, water pollution, and biodiversity loss.
2. Income Inequality: Larger-scale farmers with better access to resources gained disproportionately, leading to economic inequality and disadvantage for smaller-scale farmers.
3. Dependency on External Inputs: Farmers' reliance on costly inputs, such as fertilisers and insecticides, has led to economic issues.
4. Loss of Traditional Knowledge: The focus on high-yielding crops has led to a loss of traditional crop varieties, threatening indigenous knowledge and agricultural diversity.

My grandfather's thoughts offer a deeper picture of the Green Revolution's impact on Indian agriculture.