Agricultural Revolutions

<<–2/”>a >h1>Green Revolution in India

A term coined to describe the emergence and diffusion of new seeds of Cereals.
Norman-e-Borlaug is the Father of Green Revolution in the world, while Dr. M.S. Swami Nathan is known as the Father of Green Revolution in India.
The new cereals were the product of research work and concentrated plant breeding with the objective of creating High Yielding Varieties (HYVs) of use to the developing countries.
New varieties of wheat were first bred in Mexico in the 1950s and that of rice, like IR-8 (miracle rice) at the International Rice Research Institute, Manila, (Philippines in the 1960s).
The increase in the yield from the new seeds has been spectacular as during the last forty years, agricultural production, particularly of wheat and rice, has experienced a great spurt and this has been designated as the Green Revolution.
The Green Revolution has been used to mean two different things. Some experts of agriculture use it for referring to a broad transformation of agricultural sector in the developing countries to reduce food shortages.
Others use it when referring to the specific plant improvements, notably the development of HYVs.
Whatsoever the meaning of Green Revolution may be taken as, the adoption and diffusion of new seeds of wheat and rice has been considered as a significant achievement as it offered great optimism.
In fact, these varieties of seeds have revolutionised the agricultural landscape of the developing countries and the problem of food shortage has been reduced.
In India, hybridisation of selected crops, i.e. maize, bajra (bulrush Millets), and millets began in 1960.
The Mexican dwarf varieties of wheat were tried out on a selected scale in 1963-64. Exotic varieties of rice such as Taichung Native I were introduced in India in 1964.
The diffusion of HYVs, however, became fully operational in the country in the Kharif season of 1965-66.
The diffusion of the new seeds was mainly in the Satluj-Ganga Plains and the Kaveri Delta.
Subsequently, a number of varieties of wheat and rice were developed by the Indian scientists and adopted by the Indian farmers.

Table of Contents

Merits of the High Yielding Varieties

The High Yielding Varieties have certain advantages over the traditional varieties of cereals which are given as under:

Shorter Life Cycle
Economize on Irrigation Water
Generate more EMPLOYMENT

Geographical Constraints in the Adoption of New Seeds

The new seeds are less resistant to droughts and floods and need an efficient management of water, chemical fertilisers, insecticides and pesticides.

The conditions required for the good harvest of new seeds have been described below:

Irrigation
Availability of Chemical Fertilisers
Plant Protection Chemicals
- The new seeds are very delicate and highly susceptible to pests and diseases.
- The danger of pests and insects may be reduced by using plant protection chemicals.

The problems of crop disease and pests may also be tackled by timely application of insecticides and pesticides

Capital Constraint

Mechanization

Marketing and Storage Facilities

Extension Service

Human Factor

Environmental and Ecological Implications of Green Revolution

Some of the environmental and ecological problems that emerged out of the cultivation of the High Yielding Varieties are depletion of forests, reduction in pastures, salination, water-logging, depletion of underground water-table, Soil erosion, change in the soil chemistry, reduction in bio-diversity, decline in Soil fertility, silting of rivers, increase in Weeds, emergence of numerous new plant diseases, and Health hazards.

An overview of these environmental and ecological problems has been given here.

Salination

The saline and alkaline affected tracts, locally known as kallar or thur in Punjab and kallar or reh in Uttar Pradesh have expanded and increased in area.The problem of salinity and alkalinity can be solved by use of manure (cow dung, compost, and green manure) and by a judicious selection of leguminous crops in the rotation

Waterlogging

Water Logging is the other major problem associated with over-irrigation.The progressive and ambitious cultivators of the irrigated areas of these districts have changed their Cropping patterns and have introduced rice and wheat in place of bajra, pulses, Cotton, and fodder.Repeated irrigation of these crops in the summer and winter seasons have resulted into waterlogged condition, especially along the canals.

Soil erosion
Pollution:
Lowering of the Underground Water-Table:
Deforestation
Noise Pollution:
Health Hazards:

Green Revolution—Achievements, Problems and Prospects

Green Revolution—Achievements

The main achievements of Green Revolution may be summarized as under:

The production and productivity of wheat, rice, maize, and bajra has increased substantially.
India has become almost self-sufficient in the matter of staple foods.
The double cropped area has increased; thereby intensification of the Indian Agriculture has increased.
In the areas where Green Revolution is a success, the farmers have moved from subsistent to market oriented economy, especially in Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, and the plain districts of Uttarakhand (Hardwar and Udhamsinghnagar).
The adoption of High Yielding Varieties under the Green Revolution has generated more rural and urban employment.
Green Revolution has increased the income of farmers and landless labourers, especially that of the big farmers and the semi-skilled rural workers. Thus Green Revolution has increased rural prosperity.
Green Revolution has created jobs in the areas of biological (seed fertilisers) innovations, and repair of agricultural equipments and machinery.

Green Revolution—Problems and Prospects

Depletion of soil owing to the continuous cultivation of soil exhaustive crops like rice and wheat.
Depletion of underground water table due to over-irrigation of more moisture requiring crops like rice and wheat.
Green Revolution has increased the income disparity amongst the farmers.
Green Revolution led to polarization of the rural Society. It has created three types of conflicts in the rural community, namely, between large and small farmers, between owner and tenant farmers, between the employers and employees on agricultural farms.
Green Revolution has displaced the agricultural labourers, leading to rural Unemployment. The mechanical innovations like tractors have displaced the agricultural labour. 6. Agricultural production in the Green Revolution areas is either stationary or has shown declining trend.
Some valuable agricultural lands have submerged under water (water-logging) or are adversely affected by salinity and alkalinity.
Green Revolution is crop specific. It could not perform well in the case pulses and oil-seeds.
The traditional institution of Jijmani system has broken. Consequently, the barbers, carpenters, iron-smith, and watermen have migrated to the urban areas.
The Soil Texture, structure, soil chemistry, and soil fertility have changed.
About 60 per cent of agricultural land in the country remains unaffected by Green Revolution.
Green Revolution technologies are scale neutral but not resource neutral.
Punjab feeds the nation but farmers in the state, especially in the Malwa region fall prey to cancer. The take ‘Cancer Train’ to Bikaner for cheap treatment.

Evergreen Revolution was a term coined by M.S. Swaminathan to indicate the development of technologies that can help in increasing productivity in perpetuity without causing an associated ecological harm.He also stated that to achieve the goal of Food Security by ending hunger and to promote Sustainable Agriculture, it is important that in the field of social protection as well as the scientific measures needed for achieving food and Nutrition security, we should move from the green to an ‘evergreen revolution’ approach.

The Evergreen Revolution technologies are based on a Farming Systems approach and will also involve farmer participatory breeding and knowledge management. Nation’s agricultural research and technology development system should be strengthened and reoriented to play the pivotal role in creating a science-based and knowledge-led evergreen revolution. A sustainable evergreen revolution enhances the Quality Of Life of farm families and revitalizes rural communities. Taking good care of both human and environmental Resources is the heart of a sustainable agriculture

Use of biotechnological tools in agriculture could make Food Crops high yielding and more robust to biotic and abiotic stresses. This could stabilize and increase food supplies, which is important against the background of increasing food demand, Climate change and land and water scarcity.

Nanotechnology can be used in agriculture in many ways. It can help in promoting soil fertility and balanced crop nutrition; effective weed control; enhancing seed emergence using carbon nanotubes; delivery of agriculture chemicals, field-sensing systems to monitor the environmental stresses and crop conditions and improvement of plant traits against environmental stresses and diseases.

Rainbow revolution concept is a combination of Green Revolution, White Revolution, Blue Revolution, Yellow Revolution and Brown Revolution. It was after these revolutions, the Indian agriculture slowly shifted from traditional behaviour to scientific behaviour.

The various colors of the Rainbow Revolution indicate various farm practices such as Green Revolution (Foodgrains), White Revolution (Milk), Yellow Revolution (Oil seeds), Blue Revolution (Fisheries-2/”>Fisheries); Golden Revolution (Fruits); Silver Revolution (Eggs), Round Revolution (Potato), Pink Revolution (Meat), Grey Revolution (Fertilizers) and so on.

The Neolithic Revolution, or the Agricultural Revolution, was a period of transition in human history when people began to live in permanent settlements and grow their own food. This revolution began around 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent, a region of the Middle East that is now home to countries such as Iraq, Iran, and Syria.

Before the Neolithic Revolution, humans were hunter-gatherers. They moved from place to place in search of food, and they did not have permanent homes. However, as people began to learn how to farm, they were able to stay in one place and grow their own food. This led to the development of permanent settlements, and it also led to the development of new technologies, such as irrigation systems and tools for farming.

The Agricultural Revolution had a profound impact on human history. It led to the development of new societies and cultures, and it also led to the development of new technologies. The Agricultural Revolution also had a significant impact on the Environment. As people began to farm, they cleared forests and drained wetlands. This led to the loss of Biodiversity-2/”>Biodiversity and the degradation of the environment.

The Agricultural Revolution was a major turning point in human history. It led to the development of new societies and cultures, and it also led to the development of new technologies. The Agricultural Revolution had a profound impact on the environment, and it continues to shape the world we live in today.

The Agricultural Revolution of the 18th century was a period of great change in the way that food was produced. Prior to this time, most people lived in rural areas and grew their own food. However, with the advent of new technologies, such as the seed drill and the threshing machine, it became possible to produce food more efficiently on a larger scale. This led to the development of large-scale farms, which in turn led to the Growth of cities.

The Agricultural Revolution had a number of positive effects. It led to an increase in the food supply, which helped to improve the standard of living for many people. It also led to the development of new industries, such as the textile Industry, which created jobs and helped to stimulate the economy.

However, the Agricultural Revolution also had some negative effects. One of the most significant was the displacement of rural populations. As large-scale farms became more common, small farmers were often forced off their land. This led to the growth of slums in cities, as people moved to urban areas in search of work.

Another negative effect of the Agricultural Revolution was the environmental impact. The use of new technologies, such as the plow, led to the clearing of forests and the erosion of soil. This had a negative impact on the environment, and it continues to be a problem today.

The Green Revolution was a period of agricultural development that began in the mid-20th century. The goal of the Green Revolution was to increase crop yields in developing countries in order to improve food security. The Green Revolution was successful in increasing crop yields, but it also had some negative effects.

One of the negative effects of the Green Revolution was the use of pesticides and herbicides. These chemicals can harm the environment and human health. Another negative effect of the Green Revolution was the loss of biodiversity. As farmers planted more and more of the same crops, they displaced other Plants and animals.

The SECOND GREEN REVOLUTION is a term used to describe the current period of agricultural development. The goal of the Second Green Revolution is to increase crop yields even further, while also addressing some of the negative effects of the first Green Revolution. The Second Green Revolution is focused on using new technologies, such as Genetic engineering, to improve crop yields. It is also focused on developing sustainable agricultural practices that protect the environment.

The Agricultural Revolution of the 21st century is a period of agricultural development that is being driven by new technologies, such as precision agriculture and vertical farming. Precision agriculture uses sensors and satellites to collect data about crops, which farmers can then use to make decisions about irrigation, fertilization, and pest control. Vertical farming is a method of growing crops in vertically stacked layers, which uses less land and water than traditional farming methods.

The Agricultural Revolution of the 21st century is still in its early stages, but it has the potential to revolutionize the way that food is produced. New technologies have the potential to increase crop yields, while also reducing the environmental impact of agriculture.

What is the Industrial revolution?

The Industrial Revolution was a period of great change in the way people lived and worked. It began in Great Britain in the late 18th century and spread to other parts of Europe and North America in the 19th century. During the Industrial Revolution, people began to use machines to do many of the tasks that had previously been done by hand. This led to a number of changes, including the growth of cities, the development of new technologies, and the rise of a new middle class.

What are the causes of the Industrial Revolution?

There are many factors that contributed to the Industrial Revolution, including the following:

The invention of new machines, such as the steam engine and the spinning jenny, made it possible to produce goods more quickly and efficiently.
The discovery of new sources of energy, such as coal and oil, provided the power to run these machines.
The development of new transportation systems, such as the railroad and the steamship, made it easier to transport goods and people.
The growth of Population, which created a larger market for goods and Services.
The rise of capitalism, which provided the incentive for businesses to invest in new technologies and methods of production.

What are the effects of the Industrial Revolution?

The Industrial Revolution had a profound impact on society, both positive and negative. Some of the positive effects included the following:

Increased production of goods, which led to lower prices and a higher standard of living for many people.
Development of new technologies, which improved people’s lives in many ways.
Rise of a new middle class, which had a greater say in government and society.

Some of the negative effects of the Industrial Revolution included the following:

Poor working conditions for many factory workers, who often worked long hours in dangerous conditions for low wages.
Pollution from factories, which caused health problems and environmental damage.
Rapid Urbanization, which led to overcrowding and slums in cities.

What is the Information Revolution?

The Information Revolution is the name given to the changes that have taken place in society as a result of the development of new information technologies, such as computers, the Internet, and mobile phones. These technologies have had a profound impact on the way we communicate, work, learn, and entertain ourselves.

What are the causes of the Information Revolution?

The Information Revolution is the result of a number of factors, including the following:

The development of new information technologies, such as computers, the internet, and mobile phones.
The decreasing cost of these technologies, which has made them more accessible to people around the world.
The increasing availability of information, which has made it easier for people to find and share information.
The growing importance of knowledge and information in the global economy.

What are the effects of the Information Revolution?

The Information Revolution has had a profound impact on society, both positive and negative. Some of the positive effects include the following:

Increased access to information, which has helped people to learn more about the world and to connect with others.
Improved Communication and collaboration, which has made it easier for people to work together on projects.
New opportunities for Education and employment.

Some of the negative effects of the Information Revolution include the following:

Increased isolation and loneliness, as people spend more time interacting with technology than with other people.
Cyberbullying and other forms of online harassment.
The spread of misinformation and disinformation.

What is the future of the Information Revolution?

The Information Revolution is still in its early stages, and it is difficult to predict what the future holds. However, it is clear that information technologies will continue to play an increasingly important role in our lives. We can expect to see even more rapid advances in these technologies in the years to come, and these advances will have a profound impact on the way we live, work, and learn.

Sure, here are some multiple choice questions about the topics of agriculture, food production, and the environment:

Which of the following is not a major factor in the development of agriculture?
(A) The domestication of animals
(B) The development of irrigation systems
(C) The invention of the plow
(D) The discovery of fire
Which of the following is the most common type of agriculture in the world today?
(A) Subsistence agriculture
(B) Commercial agriculture
(C) Industrial agriculture
(D) Organic agriculture
Which of the following is not a major environmental impact of agriculture?
(A) Soil erosion
(B) Water Pollution
(C) Air Pollution
(D) Climate Change
Which of the following is the most sustainable type of agriculture?
(A) Subsistence agriculture
(B) Commercial agriculture
(C) Industrial agriculture
(D) Organic agriculture
Which of the following is the most important factor in the future of agriculture?
(A) The development of new technologies
(B) The changing climate
(C) The growth of the world population
(D) The increasing demand for food
Which of the following is the most important goal of sustainable agriculture?
(A) To produce enough food to feed the world’s population
(B) To protect the environment
(C) To improve the livelihoods of farmers
(D) To all of the above
Which of the following is not a sustainable agricultural practice?
(A) Using organic fertilizers
(B) Rotating crops
(C) Using genetically modified crops
(D) Planting cover crops
Which of the following is the most important thing that consumers can do to support sustainable agriculture?
(A) Buy organic food
(B) Eat less meat
(C) Grow their own food
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is the most important thing that governments can do to support sustainable agriculture?
(A) Provide subsidies for organic farmers
(B) Regulate the use of pesticides and herbicides
(C) Invest in research on sustainable agriculture
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is the most important thing that businesses can do to support sustainable agriculture?
(A) Buy sustainable agricultural products
(B) Invest in sustainable agricultural practices
(C) Promote sustainable agriculture to their customers
(D) All of the above