The Grass is Greener where we water it - a reminder

‘The grass is greener where you water it’, feels like a very gen-z quote, created for hope and positivity. Contradictory to this, there was a man who took this modern day, saying extremely seriously in the 1990s, and made it come true in a very different way.

In a way, that changed the face, the length and breadth of India.?

We are now a booming nation, one of the world’s top economies with manifold industries at active, us leading multiple sectors, and thriving in ways more than one, while being the ‘voice of South Asia’ as they say - but is this the ‘real picture’ or is this the reality for every citizen of India, definitely not.

We are still a largely agrarian country. As of 2021, 50% of our population is employed in the agricultural sector, contributing to 20-21% of our overall GDP.

But something in history made this possible, without with we would not have the kind of produce and crop credibility we have today, or some legendary Bollywood songs in lush green fields.

It definitely was the ‘Green Revolution’, spearheaded by Dr. M.S. Swaminathan.

Now if you come to a few things, we assume that they come naturally to us. Sarcastically, it could be, good health and success, organically, I can’t imagine India without food production - but it is important to note, that today while we talk about food insecurity and sustainable development being linked to one another, there was a time where ‘food security’ for our country was so unknown, that no one could have ever thought, but we would be a rich-crop country.?

I solemnly want to state that this article does not mean to undermine farmers’ struggle and parity, in any way. I am trying to draw a link between then and now, in a much more factual basis.

Before the Green Revolution, India faced significant challenges in the agricultural sector. The country was heavily reliant on traditional farming practices, characterised by low productivity, inadequate infrastructure, limited access to modern inputs, and widespread poverty among farmers.

During this period, India struggled to meet the growing demand for food due to a rapidly increasing population. The insufficient production led to food shortages and reliance on imports, putting a strain on the country's economy and food security.

The lack of advanced farming techniques, limited irrigation facilities, and inadequate distribution and storage infrastructure further hindered agricultural growth. Additionally, pest attacks, soil degradation, and unpredictable weather patterns posed additional challenges to farmers.

Today our issues are very different, which we will come to later, but the Green Revolution was a transformative phase in Indian agriculture that began in the 1960s. It ushered in a series of reforms and innovations that aimed to increase agricultural productivity, primarily through the adoption of high-yielding crop varieties, improved irrigation methods, and greater use of modern inputs like fertilisers and pesticides.

These measures, coupled with effective government policies, extension services, and rural development initiatives, led to a significant increase in agricultural production. The Green Revolution not only helped India achieve self-sufficiency in food grains but also positioned it as a global agricultural powerhouse.

Bringing in our staple sustainable factor, this revolution is not only an apt governance case study, but it clearly showcases how the E-S-G of the green revolution were embedded in every individual’s mind.

A nation-wide initiative, clearly focus on the environment, which played a crucial role in improving rural livelihoods, reducing poverty, and promoting rural development, and was a clear-cut governance victory. But governance is never perfect, it cannot be, because there is always scope for improvement with conflicting views. Similarly, the Green Revolution also had some unintended consequences, such as increased reliance on chemical inputs, environmental degradation, and disparities in agricultural growth between different regions and social groups.

M.S Swaminathan was a social reformer and scientific genius by virtue of his work, apart from an agronomist, agricultural scientist, plant geneticist, administrator, he was a clear advocate of integrated value creation and the linkage of environmental as well as social factors. In 2004, he was appointed chair of the National Commission on Farmers, a body looking into farmer distress amid alarming number of farmer suicide cases due to failed crops. Swaminathan always advocated for smallholding farmers and sustainable farming practices. His efforts to empower women farmers helped shape India’s Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana programme.

In 1988, he founded the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF ) with proceeds from the First World Food Prize that he received a year before. The Foundation accelerates use of modern science for sustainable agricultural and rural development.

Well, through the 60s and the 70s, the Green Revolution gave India everything from Increased Agricultural Productivity, Reduced Poverty, Technological Advancement, Rural Development and essentially, Food Security.

In today’s world though, food security has become insecurity in India with mix of progress and ongoing challenges.

Talking about Overall Food Production, India has made significant progress in food production over the years. It is now one of the largest producers of food commodities such as rice, wheat, fruits, and vegetables. The country has achieved self-sufficiency in major cereal crops and has a buffer stock of food grains, but with the government-run Public Distribution System there are concerns about leakages, inefficiencies, and inadequate coverage in some areas, leading to gaps in access to food.

Despite improvements, malnutrition remains a major concern in India. According to the Global Hunger Index 2023, India ranks 109 out of 116 countries, indicating a serious level of hunger and malnutrition in the country. Undernutrition, micro-nutrient deficiencies, and stunted growth among children are prevalent issues. Especially pronounced among marginalised and economically disadvantaged sections of society, including rural communities, small farmers, and landless labourers.?

Apart from this, an estimated 40% of food produced in the country goes to waste or is lost during various stages of the supply chain, from harvesting to consumption. Addressing food waste and loss is crucial to improving food security.?

Climate change is of course a key threat?to agricultural productivity and food security in India. Erratic weather patterns, extreme events, and water scarcity can affect crop yields and agricultural practices. Building resilience and promoting climate-smart agriculture are essential to mitigate these risks.?

COVID-19 was again a huge obstacle, with halted supply chains and sheer uncertainty on all fronts, a lot is needed to come from that.

Despite this, the government, civil organisations, and various initiatives are working towards addressing these challenges. Efforts include strengthening the PDS, promoting sustainable farming practices, supporting small farmers, enhancing nutrition programs, and improving storage and infrastructure facilities.?

At the end of everything, it is essential to remember that food security is an integral part of social as well as environmental sustainability - we have done it before, and we can do it again.

Food security and sustainable development both play a significant role in achieving global goals such as ending poverty, promoting environmental sustainability, and ensuring the well-being of all individuals and communities.?

If we think about it, these are objectives achieved in the 1980s with which we are struggling again in today’s age. Sustainable development encourages responsible consumption by reducing food waste, promoting balanced diets, and shifting towards more sustainable and climate-friendly food production systems, along with the need for efficient food supply chains, equitable distribution, and promoting sustainable livelihoods for farmers and food producers.

Perhaps we need a new-age sustainability revolution for the most basic of our processes. Of all that we think will come to us, we need to work towards.?

M.S Swaminathan’s life is an inspiration - he created everything from nothingness and uncertainty, we already have an established system, and every constructive step counts.?