Read the passage and answer the following questions.
The land reforms have had only limited impact on rural society and the agrarian structure in most regions. In contrast the Green Revolution of the 1960s and 1970s bring about significant changes in the areas where it took place. The Green Revolution was a government programme of agricultural modernisation. It was largely funded by international agencies that was based on providing High Yielding Variety (HYV) or hybrid seeds along with pesticides, fertilizers, and other inputs, to farmers. Green Revolution programmes were introduced only in areas that had assured irrigation, because sufficient water was necessary for the new seeds and methods of cultivation. It was also targeted mainly at the wheat and rice-growing areas. As a result, only certain regions such as the Punjab, Western U.P., coastal Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Tamil Nadu received the first wave of the Green Revolution package. The rapid social and economic transformations that were seen in these areas stimulated a spate of studies by social scientists, and vigorous debates about the impact of Green Revolution.
High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds are developed by
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Agriculture scientists
Option (2) Agriculture scientists — Correct. Hybrid, high-yielding and genetically modified seeds are the product of agricultural science, and they are promoted as more productive and ‘scientific’. The Green Revolution is considered a major achievement of the government and of the scientists who contributed to the effort.
NCERT (2025-26): “4.3 The Green Revolution and its Social Consequences … Agricultural productivity increased sharply because of the new technology. India was able to become self-sufficient in foodgrain production for the first time in decades. The Green Revolution has been considered a major achievement of the government and of the scientists who contributed to the effort.…” “…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.” |