Question

Green revolution in India started with

• A. Import of high yielding, disease resistant varieties of wheat from Mexico and cultivation in India
• B. Import of high yielding, disease resistant varieties of rice from Mexico and cultivation in India
• C. Development and improvement of HYVs by Indian geneticists
• D. Export of HYVs to foreign countries

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (C)

Development and improvement of HYVs by Indian geneticists

India had suffered the Bengal famine and was also facing a drought situation during the 1950s and 1960s. To increase the foodgrain production, the then agriculture minister , imported high yielding varieties of rice and wheat which were developed in Mexico by the efforts of Dr. Norman Borlaug and colleagues and started cultivating them in India to great success. These HYVs were further improved and modified for India by the geneticist Dr M.S. Swaminathan. This helped India overcome the food crisis and become self sufficient in foodgrain production.