​What was one of the negative impacts of the Green Revolution?

Correct option is B

​The correct answer is (b) Soil degradation due to excessive use of fertilisers

Explanation:

• One of the negative impacts of the Green Revolution in India, which took place during the 1960s and 1970s, was the degradation of soil quality.
• The Green Revolution involved the extensive use of high-yielding varieties of seeds, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides to boost agricultural production.
• While it led to a significant increase in crop yields, the overuse of chemical fertilizers contributed to soil degradation, reduced soil fertility, and increased the dependence on chemical inputs for crop growth.

Information Booster:

Positive Impacts of Green Revolution:

• Increase in Crop Production: Grain output surged, reaching 131 million tonnes in 1978-79, establishing India as a major agricultural producer.
• Self-Sufficiency in Food-Grains: India became self-reliant in food grains, even exporting surplus crops at times.
• Farmer Benefits: Income levels increased, with large farmers benefiting the most by investing in high-yield variety (HYV) seeds, fertilizers, and machinery. This also promoted capitalist farming.
• Industrial Growth: Mechanization in farming boosted demand for tractors, harvesters, fertilizers, pesticides, and agro-based industries.
• Rural Employment: Increased demand for labor in farming and related industries, creating jobs in both agriculture and industry.

Negative Impacts of Green Revolution:

• Neglect of Non-Food Grains: Coarse cereals, pulses, and oilseeds were largely ignored, as well as major commercial crops like cotton, jute, tea, and sugarcane.
• Limited HYVP Coverage: The High-Yielding Variety Programme was limited to only five crops, leaving out many others.
• Regional Disparities: The revolution largely benefited areas like Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh, while eastern regions and arid areas remained untouched.
• Excessive Chemical Usage: High use of pesticides and fertilizers led to environmental pollution, soil degradation, and health risks for farmers.
• Water Consumption: Water-intensive crops depleted groundwater, particularly in regions like Punjab, leading to severe water scarcity.
• Soil Depletion: Repeated crop cycles and increased fertilizer usage degraded soil quality and reduced yield over time.
• Unemployment: Mechanization led to job losses, especially for poor and landless laborers in rural areas.
• Health Hazards: Chemical pesticides and fertilizers caused health issues like cancer, renal failure, and birth defects.