Write a note on green revolution and its merits and demerits
Answers
Answer:
The Green Revolution was a period when the productivity of global agriculture increased drastically as a result of new advances. During this time period, new chemical fertilizers and synthetic herbicides and pesticides were created. The chemical fertilizers made it possible to supply crops with extra nutrients and, therefore, increase yield. The newly developed synthetic herbicides and pesticides controlled weeds, deterred or kill insects, and prevented diseases, which also resulted in higher productivity.
List of Advantages of Green Revolution:
1. It allows agricultural operations on a large scale.
The Green Revolution has brought farming to a massive scale. Looking at the previous agricultural sector, crops that were grown in huge volumes are only those that required extensive human intervention to grow healthy, which means that it was not that easy. But now, we have made things easier, where most crops are being grown on an industrial scale even by the smaller farming community.
2. It has the potential to be able to grow any crop anywhere.
This innovative farming process has made it possible for agriculture to be done almost everywhere. Though you still cannot grow potatoes on a beach, you will be able to utilize most types of terrain or land to grow crops with it. This means that farmers do not have to be at the most fertile lands to be able to do their thing, as the Green Revolution has made it possible for agriculture to be more doable everywhere.
3. It eliminates the need to fallow lands.
This agricultural method has allowed farmers to re-plant similar crops without fallowing their lands, which is known to be a costly process. Though there are some crops on which soil still needing to be fallowed, the Green Revolution has certainly made farming cost-efficient.
List of Disadvantages of Green Revolution:
1. It can cause pests and weeds to develop hazards.
This modern method of farming is believed to cause the emergence of poisonous weeds and pests that are difficult to control. Aside from this, there is also the concern of cross pollination between genetically modified organisms and traditional plants that could result in invasive species.
2. It employs mono-culturing.
One of the biggest arguments against this modern technology is that it uses mono-culturing. This practice is known to require large tracts of land, which are not often available, intensive amounts of fertilizers and large volumes of water, bring about difficulties to farmers.
3. It would have difficulties with varied soil type by location.
As the Green Revolution does not take into consideration the type of soil for farming, only considering the area and doing what it needs for crop cultivation, it does not do anything to ensure soil fertility is replenished or retained.
Answer:
Merits of the Green Revolution
Green Revolution introduced a number of modern farming methods in India.
Higher yield due to the use of HYV seeds.
Machines like harvesters, tractors and threshers have made ploughing and harvesting faster and easier.
Higher yield enabled farmers to sell the surplus food in the market and earn more.
Pesticides and insecticides are able to protect the crops from pests and insects.
A good irrigation system is able to enhance crop production.
Demerits of the Green Revolution
Loss of soil fertility due to increased use of chemical fertilisers.
Continuous use of groundwater for tubewell irrigation has reduced the water table below the ground.
The chemical fertilisers, easily soluble in water, can dissolve in the groundwater and pollute it.
They can kill bacteria and other micro-organisms helpful for the soil.
Excessive use of fertilisers can also make the soil alkaline and unfit for cultivation.