Indian Agriculture and Land Reforms: Green Revolution, MSP, Crop Seasons, Revolutions and Agricultural Schemes for SSC Economy

Agriculture is still the main source of livelihood for a large share of Indians, and SSC economy asks about the Green Revolution, the colour revolutions, land reforms, the MSP and the agricultural schemes. This guide on Indian agriculture and land reforms for SSC covers all of these in tables, with practice questions and FAQs.

Role of Agriculture in the Economy

• Agriculture and allied sectors contribute around 15–18% of India’s GDP but employ over 40% of the workforce.
• India is the largest producer of milk, pulses and jute (together with Bangladesh) and the second largest producer of rice, wheat, sugarcane, fruits and vegetables.
• The main sources of irrigation are wells and tubewells (the largest), canals and tanks.

Crop Seasons

Green Revolution

• Began in 1966–67 with high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds of wheat, along with chemical fertilisers, irrigation and pesticides; Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh gained most.
• M. S. Swaminathan is called the Father of the Green Revolution in India; Norman Borlaug developed the high-yielding dwarf wheat in Mexico.
• The result: food grain production rose and India became self-sufficient in food; the effect was greatest on wheat, and later on rice.
• Limits: regional imbalance, loss of soil fertility, falling water table and dependence on chemicals.
• The “second green revolution” focuses on eastern India, pulses and sustainable farming.

Colour Revolutions

Land Reforms

Land reforms are a State subject, and the laws were put in the Ninth Schedule to protect them from judicial review.

Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Procurement

• The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), set up in 1965, recommends the MSP; the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approves it.
• MSP is announced for 22 mandated crops (such as paddy, wheat, pulses, oilseeds, cotton and jute); for sugarcane the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) is fixed.
• The Food Corporation of India (FCI), set up in 1965, buys food grains at the MSP and keeps the buffer stock.
• The three farm laws of 2020 were repealed in 2021 after protests.

Agricultural Credit and Institutions

Tricks to Remember

• Swaminathan = Green Revolution; Kurien = White Revolution; Vinoba Bhave = Bhoodan.
• CACP recommends MSP; FCI procures; NABARD finances.
• Kharif: monsoon crops; Rabi: winter crops; Zaid: summer crops.
• The Ninth Schedule protects the land reform laws.

Quick Tips

• Match each revolution with its product.
• Remember the roles of CACP, FCI and NABARD.
• Learn the three crop seasons with examples.
• Remember the year of each agricultural scheme.

Quick Revision Points

• The Green Revolution began in 1966–67 with HYV wheat.
• Verghese Kurien led the White Revolution (Operation Flood, 1970).
• CACP recommends the MSP.
• NABARD was set up in 1982.
• Bhoodan was started by Vinoba Bhave in 1951.

Practice Questions With Answers

1. Who is called the Father of the Green Revolution in India?
   Answer: M. S. Swaminathan
2. Who is called the Milkman of India?
   Answer: Verghese Kurien
3. Which body recommends the MSP?
   Answer: CACP
4. Which revolution is related to oilseeds?
   Answer: Yellow Revolution
5. Which revolution is related to fish?
   Answer: Blue Revolution
6. Where did the Bhoodan Movement start?
   Answer: Pochampally, Telangana
7. Which institution is the apex bank for agriculture?
   Answer: NABARD
8. Name a Rabi crop.
   Answer: Wheat
9. Which scheme gives 6,000 rupees a year to farmers?
   Answer: PM-KISAN
10. When was the Kisan Credit Card introduced?
    Answer: 1998

How to Practise This Chapter

Practise 10 questions every day and write the steps on paper. Then attempt timed sets from our practice papers and the previous year papers page. See all topics on the Indian Economy notes page and the next topic Economic Reforms 1991 and Industrial Policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Green Revolution?

The use of HYV seeds, fertilisers and irrigation to raise food grain production from 1966–67.

Who started the White Revolution?

Dr. Verghese Kurien through Operation Flood in 1970.

What is MSP?

The price at which the government buys certain crops from farmers.

Who recommends the MSP?

The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices.

What are Kharif crops?

Crops sown in the monsoon season, such as rice and cotton.

What are Rabi crops?

Crops sown in winter, such as wheat and mustard.

What are land reforms?

Measures to change the ownership and use of land, such as abolition of zamindari and land ceilings.

What is NABARD?

The apex development bank for agriculture and rural areas, set up in 1982.

What is PM-KISAN?

An income support scheme of 6,000 rupees per year to farmer families.

What is the Bhoodan Movement?

A movement started by Vinoba Bhave in 1951 to get land donated for the landless.

Is this topic asked in SSC?

Yes. Agriculture is a regular topic in the economy section.

What is the share of agriculture in GDP?

About 15–18%.