Read the passage given below and answer the question.
Often it is thought that imparting knowledge of 'scientific' farming methods will improve the conditions of Indian farmers. We should remember that Indian farmers have been cultivating the land for centuries, much before the advent of the Green Revolution. They have very deep and extensive traditional knowledge about the land they till and the crops they sow. Much of this knowledge, like the many traditional varieties of seeds that were developed over the centuries by farmers, is being lost as hybrid, high-yielding, and genetically modified varieties of seeds are being promoted as more productive and 'scientific' (Gupta 1998; Vasavi 1999b). In view of the negative environmental and social impact of modern methods of cultivation that have been observed, a number of scientists as well as farmers' movements now suggest a return to traditional, more organic seeds and methods of cultivation. Many rural people themselves believe that hybrid varieties are less healthy than the traditional ones.
Which of the following statements explain the IInd phase of Green Revolution?
(A) It was introduced in dry and semi-arid regions
(B) Farmers switched from multi-crop system to mono crop regime
(C) Farmers switched from mono-crop system to multi-crop regime
(D) Farmers were able to pay off their debt
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → (A) and (B) only
(A) It was introduced in dry and semi-arid regions Correct. In the second phase, which began in the 1980s, farmers living in the dry and semi-arid regions began following Green Revolution cultivation practices, with a shift from dry to wet (irrigated) cultivation.
(B) Farmers switched from multi-crop system to mono crop regime Correct. In most Green Revolution areas, farmers switched from a multi-crop system, which allowed them to spread risks, to a mono-crop regime, which leaves nothing to fall back on if the crop fails.
(C) Farmers switched from mono-crop system to multi-crop regime Incorrect. This reverses the direction of the change. The move was away from many crops towards a single crop.
(D) Farmers were able to pay off their debt Incorrect. Growing for the market increased rather than reduced livelihood insecurity in these areas. Where a single crop is grown, a fall in prices or a bad crop can spell financial ruin for farmers.
NCERT (2025-26): “4.3 The Green Revolution and its Social Consequences … The second phase of the Green Revolution which began in 1980s, farmers living in the dry and semi-arid regions of India began following Green Revolution cultivation practices. In these areas there has been a significant shift from dry to wet (irrigated) cultivation, along with changes in the cropping pattern and type of crops grown. Increasing commercialisation and dependence on the market in these areas (for instance, where cotton cultivation has been promoted) has increased rather than reduced livelihood insecurity, as farmers who once grew food for consumption now depend on the market for the incomes. In marketoriented cultivation, especially where a single crop is grown, a fall in prices or a bad crop can spell financial ruin for farmers. In most of the Green Revolution areas, farmers have switched from a multi-crop system, which allowed them to spread risks, to a mono-crop regime, which means that there is nothing to fall back on in case of crop failure.…” |