Green revolution and biofortification
The green revolution raised India's food grain output with high-yielding seeds, fertilisers and irrigation. Biofortification breeds crops richer in vitamins, minerals and protein.
What was the green revolution?
In the early 1960s India did not grow enough food and had to import grain. The green revolution was the sharp rise in food grain production that followed. It used high-yielding varieties (HYV) of wheat and rice. It also used more irrigation, chemical fertilisers, pesticides and farm machines. Semi-dwarf wheat varieties came from Mexico, where Norman Borlaug bred them. In India, Dr M. S. Swaminathan led the work. So he is called the father of the Indian green revolution. India soon grew enough grain for its people.
High-yielding varieties
| Crop | Varieties |
|---|---|
| Wheat | Sonalika and Kalyan Sona (semi-dwarf, developed from Mexican wheat) |
| Rice | IR-8, the 'miracle rice' (from the International Rice Research Institute, Philippines), and Jaya |
Gains and problems of the green revolution
This is why farmers are now encouraged to use organic manure, drip irrigation and crop rotation.
Biofortification
Biofortification is breeding crops that have higher levels of vitamins, minerals, protein or healthy fats. It fights hidden hunger, which is a lack of vitamins and minerals even when people eat enough food. In ordinary fortification, nutrients are added to food during processing, as iodine is added to salt. In biofortification, the nutrient is built into the crop itself.
Examples of biofortified crops
| Crop | Improved in |
|---|---|
| Atlas 66 wheat | High protein; used to improve other wheat varieties |
| Protina and Shakti maize | More of the amino acids lysine and tryptophan |
| Iron-fortified rice | More iron |
| Golden rice | Beta-carotene, which the body turns into vitamin A (made by genetic engineering) |
| Carrot, spinach and pumpkin varieties | More vitamin A |
Because of the green revolution, ration shops can supply rice and wheat to millions of families. Iron-rich and vitamin A-rich crops aim to reduce anaemia and night blindness.
2 marks: “What is biofortification? Give two examples.” Breeding crops with more vitamins, minerals or protein. Atlas 66 wheat (protein), Protina maize (lysine), golden rice (vitamin A).
2 marks: “Who is the father of the green revolution in India? Name two high-yielding varieties.” Dr M. S. Swaminathan. Wheat: Sonalika, Kalyan Sona. Rice: IR-8, Jaya.
4 marks: “What is the green revolution? Write its benefits and harmful effects.” Sharp rise in grain output from the 1960s through HYV seeds, irrigation, fertilisers and pesticides; Borlaug and Swaminathan; self-sufficiency in grain; soil damage, falling groundwater, loss of local varieties.
Green revolution = more grain. Biofortification = better grain.