ri lt re and ood ana ement 8.11
10.92 per cent in the total operated area,
as against 0.85 per cent and 11.82 per
Green revolutIon
cent respectively for 2005–06 Census. It is the introduction of new techniques of
(vii) Share of different social groups in agriculture, which became popular by the name
operational holdings stands as: 12.40 per of Green Revolution (GR) in early 1960s—at
cent for SCs, 8.71 per cent for STs, 0.18 first for wheat and by the next decade for rice,
per cent for institutional and 78.72 per too. It revolutionised the very traditional idea of
cent for others. food production by giving a boost by more than
(viii) In a total of 137.76 million operational 250 per cent to the productivity level.18 The Green
holdings in the country, the highest Revolution was centred around the use of the High
number belonged to Uttar Pradesh Yielding Variety (HYV) of seeds developed by the
(22.93 million) followed by Bihar US agro-scientist Norman Borlaug doing research
(16.19 million) and Maharashtra (13.70 on a British Rockfellor Foundation Scholarship in
million). Mexico by the early 1960s. The new wheat seeds
which he developed in vivo claimed to increase its
(ix) Out of a total of 159.18 million hectares
productivity by more than 200 per cent. By 1965,
of the operated area in the country,
the seeds were successfully tested and were being
the highest contribution was made by
used by farmers in food deficient countries such as
Rajasthan (21.14 million ha) followed
Mexico, Taiwan.
by Maharashtra (19.84 million ha) and
Uttar Pradesh (17.09 million ha). comPonents of the green revolution
Agricultural holdings have been classified into
The Green Revolution was based on the timely
three categories:
and adequate supply of many inputs/components.
1. Economic Holding A brief review on the Green Revolution is given
below:
It is that holding which ensures a minimum
satisfactory standard of living in a family. In other 1. The HYV Seeds
words, economic holding is a minimum essential
These seeds were popularly called the ‘dwarf’
area for profitable agriculture.
variety of seeds. With the help of repeated
2. Family Holding mutations, Mr. Borlaug had been able to develop
a seed which was raised in its nature of nutrients
Family holding is that holding which gives work supplied to the different parts of the wheat plant—
to an average size family having one plough under against the leaves, stem and in favour of the grain.
the traditional farming system. In other words, This made the plant dwarf and the grain heavier—
family holding is a ‘plough unit’ which is neither resulting in high yield.19
less nor more for an average size family to cultivate
These seeds were non-photosynthetic, hence
it properly.
non-dependent on sun rays for targeted yields.
3. Optimum Holding 18. Consultative Group on International Agricultural
Research (CGIAR), World Bank, Washington DC,
Maximum size of the holding which must be 1971.
possessed and owned by a family is called optimum 19. International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre
holding. (CIMMYT), Mexico, 1971.