The Green Revolution in India primarily led to an increase in the production of which crops?

The correct answer is (B) Wheat and Rice
Explanation:
· The Green Revolution, initiated in India during the mid-1960s, was a major agricultural transformation aimed at achieving food security through modern farming techniques.
· The introduction of High-Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation expansion, and mechanization dramatically increased the production of wheat and rice.
· The movement was led by agronomist Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, known as the Father of the Green Revolution in India.
· Regions such as Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh became the centers of wheat production, while states like Punjab, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh saw increased rice output.
· Due to HYV seeds being more effective for wheat and certain rice strains, these two crops recorded the largest and fastest productivity jump.
Information Booster (Important for SSC Exams):
· The Green Revolution started around 1966–67.
· It helped India transition from a food-deficit nation to a food-surplus nation, especially in cereals.
· Wheat production increased almost threefold within a decade.
· It boosted India's self-sufficiency, reducing dependence on food grain imports under PL-480 from the USA.
· Introduced mechanisation: tractors, harvesters, tube wells.
· Led to the establishment of institutions like:
· ✔ ICAR modernisation
· ✔ Agricultural universities
· ✔ National Seed Corporation
Additional Knowledge (Option-wise):
(a) Wheat and Sugarcane – Sugarcane was not significantly impacted by the Green Revolution.
(c) Rice and Pulses – Pulses did NOT benefit; in fact, their production stagnated, causing shortages.
(d) Rice and Maize – Maize did not experience major gains under early Green Revolution technologies.