The term Green revolution is applied to agricultural experiments in many of the third world countries but it was most successful in India.

Causes for Green revolution in India :
The Post-independence era (1947-67) which aimed at self-sufficiency in agriculture was not successful. This period could be termed as a perfect case of MALTHUSIAN economics - where in the population was grow at much faster rate than agricultural production. Demand was more than the supply.

This led to adoption of Green revolution, which was gaining significance in countries like U.S, Mexico, Philippines ...

What is Green Revolution ?
The introduction of HIGH YIELDING VARIETIES (HYY) seeds, increased use of fertilizers and irrigation facility are known collectively as GREEN REVOLUTION.

In India farmers of Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh were the first to try out the modern farming methods of Green Revolution.

This Program was started with the help of US based Rockefeller foundation and basically experimented with the HYV of Wheat and Rice. Of which, Wheat produced best results in India.

Effects of Green Revolution:
Even though there are vivid evidence of more advantages and significant improvement in the Indian economy after Green revolution, the disturbance of natural farming is alarming.
1. Loss of soil fertility - due to use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides
2. Reduction of water table below ground level
These effects on environment cannot be restored at all.

Note: Punjab ranks the highest in the consumption of chemical fertilizers.

People involved in Green Revolution

1. Norman Borlaug - Father of Green Revolution
An American agronomist, he developed the HIGH YIELD VARIETY wheat crops. He was awarded the Noble Peace Prize in 1970 for increasing food supply. He established World Food Prize in 1986.

In India - C.Subramaniam, B.P.Pal and M.S.Swaminathan
2. C.Subramaniam was the then Union Minister of Agriculture

3. Benjamin Peary Pal - Father of the Post-modern research in Indian Agriculture. He was the First Director General of Indian Council for Agriculture Research (ICAR) . He developed New PUSA- NP 809, a hard Indian variety of wheat.

4. M.S.Swaminathan - Father of Green Revolution in India
He was successful in introducing and further developing HIGH YIELD VARIETY crops.
  • He is the Chairman of M.S.RESEARCH FOUNDATION targetting EVERGREEN REVOLUTION. His advocacy of sustainable development has drawn high appreciation throughout the world.
  • TIME'S Magazine acclaimed him to one of the 20 most influential people of Asia of 20th century and one of the only 3 Indians (Mahatma Gandhi & Rabindranath Tagore)
  • UN Environment Program has called him "The Father of Economic Ecology"
  • He was a Chairman of UN SCIENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE(1980) set up to take a follow-up action of Vienna Plan of action.He has also served as the Chairman of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and President of the INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR THE CONSERVATION OF NATURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES.
  • He is a recipient of Ramon Magsaysay Award for COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP 1971;Albert Einstein World Science Award 1986 and the First World Food Prize in 1987
  • Currently he chairs UNESCO in ECO-TECHNOLOGY