Agricultural Revolutions — Set 3

Correct Answer: B. Second Green Revolution

Bt cotton, approved in India in 2002, is the first and so far only genetically modified crop commercially approved in India, representing the Second Green Revolution's biotechnology approach. Bt cotton contains genes from Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria, making it resistant to bollworm pests. Its adoption transformed Indian cotton production, making India one of the world's top cotton producers though debates about its long-term impacts continue.

Correct Answer: C. M.S. Swaminathan

The Evergreen Revolution concept was proposed by M.S. Swaminathan as a response to the environmental side effects of the Green Revolution. He argued for a paradigm shift toward sustainable agriculture that increases productivity while conserving soil, water, and biodiversity for future generations. The Evergreen Revolution integrates ecological principles with agricultural productivity, ensuring long-term food security without degrading natural resources.

Correct Answer: B. Sustainable productivity without ecological harm

The Evergreen Revolution philosophy centers on achieving high agricultural productivity while maintaining the ecological foundations of food security — soil health, water quality, biodiversity, and climate stability. Swaminathan envisioned agriculture that could produce abundantly in the present without compromising the ability of future generations to produce food. It combines modern technology with traditional ecological knowledge for sustainable intensification.

Correct Answer: B. Integration of all sectoral revolutions for balanced agricultural development

The Rainbow Revolution represents the integration of all agricultural revolutions — green (foodgrains), white (dairy), blue (fisheries), yellow (oilseeds), golden (horticulture), silver (poultry), and others — into a comprehensive, balanced agricultural development strategy. It symbolizes diversity and completeness in agricultural production, ensuring food and nutritional security across all sectors simultaneously for holistic rural development.

Correct Answer: B. Narendra Modi government in 2016

The Doubling Farmers Income (DFI) by 2022 mission was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2016. A high-level committee under Ashok Dalwai was formed to recommend strategies. The approach included higher production, cost reduction, better prices, and non-farm income sources. Though the 2022 target was challenging to meet, the initiative catalyzed many agricultural reforms and welfare schemes for farmers.

Correct Answer: B. Ashok Dalwai Committee

The Ashok Dalwai Committee was constituted in 2016 to develop a comprehensive strategy for doubling farmers' income by 2022. The committee submitted multiple volumes of reports recommending strategies across crop production, horticulture, livestock, fisheries, rural infrastructure, and market development. It identified that income growth required both increasing production as well as improving farm economics through cost reduction and better market access.

Correct Answer: B. First used HYV seeds; Second uses biotechnology and sustainable approaches

The First Green Revolution (1960s-70s) primarily used High Yielding Variety seeds, chemical fertilizers, and expanded irrigation to increase food grain production, particularly wheat and rice. The Second Green Revolution focuses on biotechnology (GM crops), precision agriculture, sustainable practices, and diversification beyond staple grains. While the first solved immediate food deficit, the second aims for long-term sustainability and nutritional security.

Correct Answer: C. Punjab

Punjab is called the granary of India due to its enormous contribution to national food grain production, especially wheat and rice. The state enthusiastically adopted Green Revolution technology — HYV seeds, chemical fertilizers, and tubewells — achieving spectacular yield increases. Punjab consistently provides more than 25-30% of India's wheat procurement to the central pool, sustaining national food security.

Correct Answer: B. HYV seeds, chemical fertilizers, irrigation, and pesticides

The Green Revolution required a package of inputs: High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds that could exploit high-nutrient environments, chemical fertilizers (especially nitrogen), assured irrigation water, and pesticides to protect the susceptible HYV crops. This input package represented a significant departure from traditional low-input farming and required substantial capital investment. Government subsidies on fertilizers and irrigation made these inputs accessible to farmers.

Correct Answer: B. India's dairy revolution program launched in 1970

Operation Flood was India's dairy development revolution, launched in 1970 by NDDB under Verghese Kurien. It was the world's largest dairy development program, running in three phases (1970-1996). The program linked India's rural milk producers to urban consumers through a national milk grid, increased milk production dramatically, and created dairy cooperative institutions that empowered millions of small farmers.