Question map
Which one among the following is the best reason for the marked increase in the agricultural production in India in the past decades ?
Explanation
The marked increase in India's agricultural production over the past decades is primarily attributed to the adoption of improved agricultural methods and technologies, collectively known as the Green Revolution [3]. This transformation involved the introduction of High Yielding Varieties (HYVs) of seeds, particularly for wheat and rice, which significantly boosted productivity [2]. These modern farming methods were supported by a 'package technology' comprising chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and expanded irrigation infrastructure [3][t2]. While the area under cultivation is limited and per capita land availability is shrinking [t8], the shift from traditional subsistence farming to market-oriented agriculture was driven by these technological advancements [2]. Successive government policies further facilitated this by providing subsidies, price support, and infrastructure funds to enhance yield rather than merely expanding land area [t4]. Consequently, foodgrain production rose from 97.3 million tonnes in 1950–51 to over 263 million tonnes by 2012–13 [1].
Sources
- [1] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > Performance of the High Yielding Varieties > p. 51
- [3] INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 3: Land Resources and Agriculture > Agricultural Development in India > p. 36
- [2] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > Green Revolution—Achievements > p. 73