Which of the following is a negative effect of Green Revolution in India?
(i) Depletion of groundwater table
(ii) Deterioration in the quality of soil
(iii) Increased input cost

Correct option is C

The correct answer is (c) (i), (ii) and (iii).
• The Green Revolution in India, which began in the 1960s, brought about significant increases in agricultural production through the use of high-yield variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilizers, and irrigation. However, it also had several negative effects:
• Depletion of groundwater table: Intensive irrigation practices, particularly for water-intensive crops like rice and wheat, led to the over-extraction of groundwater, causing a significant drop in the groundwater table.
• Deterioration in the quality of soil: The excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides degraded soil health, reducing its fertility and leading to nutrient imbalances.
• Increased input cost: The reliance on high-yield variety seeds, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and advanced irrigation systems significantly increased the cost of inputs for farmers, making agriculture more expensive and less sustainable for small and marginal farmers.