By Utkarsh Bhargava, Consultant, Avalon Consulting
India’s population grew rapidly after independence, putting immense pressure on the country food supply. Agricultural output did not increase at the same pace as population growth. Traditional farming methods were outdated, with minimal use of technology, leading to poor crop yields. Most farming was dependent on rainfall, and infrastructure for irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides was inadequate. As a result, India faced severe food shortages and had to rely heavily on food imports. Famines, malnutrition, and low agricultural productivity made the country vulnerable to recurring food crises. The Green Revolution was introduced in India to increase food production and address the famine crisis.
Several policy initiatives by the Government of India (GOI) facilitated its implementation. One of the key measures was the introduction of Minimum Support Prices (MSP) to ensure that farmers received fair prices for their produce. This policy provided a safety net against price fluctuations in the market, encouraging farmers to invest in high-yielding varieties and modern inputs without the fear of financial loss due to market volatility.
Additionally, the government subsidized chemical fertilizers and pesticides, recognizing that high yielding variety (HYV) seeds required increased fertilizer use to achieve their full potential. Fertilizer distribution networks were expanded, and subsidies were provided to reduce the financial burden on farmers.
As a result of Green Revolution policies, the per capita net availability of food grains in India increased significantly, particularly for rice and wheat. However, traditional crops like millets and indigenous rice varieties were largely replaced by high-yielding hybrid crops, leading to a loss of crop diversity.
Wheat availability per capita rose significantly, from 24.0 kg per year in 1951 to 70.1 kg per year in 2017. However, the availability of other cereals, such as millets and pulses, declined over the same period. This shift towards genetically uniform, high-yielding varieties led to the disappearance of many traditional crops, reducing agricultural biodiversity. Over time, this change influenced consumption patterns, shifting the focus from minor cereals and pulses to major cereals such as rice and wheat.
The government’s support for rice and wheat production through MSP and procurement policies incentivized farmers to cultivate these water intensive crops year-round. However, the emphasis on monoculture, combined with the overuse of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and groundwater, led to soil degradation and water scarcity. Government subsidies and incentives for tube well installation made groundwater extraction easy and affordable for farmers. While this initially boosted agricultural productivity, it also encouraged excessive groundwater pumping. Over the last 50 years, the number of borewells in India has increased from 1 million to 20 million, leading to alarming levels of groundwater depletion.
According to the Central Groundwater Board of India, about 17% of groundwater blocks are overexploited, 5% are critical, and 14% are in semi-critical stages. The situation is particularly alarming in three major regions: north-western, western, and southern peninsular India.
Addressing groundwater depletion requires comprehensive policy interventions. The GOI has already introduced several policy measures to tackle this challenge. However, a holistic approach is necessary, where the central government formulates policies, and state governments, along with bureaucratic institutions, ensure effective implementation. Raising awareness about best water management practices and involving local communities would help gain stakeholder buy-in. India can also draw inspiration from other countries that have successfully addressed groundwater depletion. For example, in the United States, states like California implemented the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, which regulates groundwater extraction and encourages local water management plans. In India, landowners have the right to collect and dispose of groundwater within their property limits, but a comprehensive review of water extraction rights is necessary. Groundwater should be recognized as a shared, interconnected resource rather than an individual’s exclusive property. Similarly, in China, a water quota system was introduced, where differential pricing was implemented based on usage levels. This system promotes responsible water consumption while ensuring transparency.
While the challenges of groundwater depletion are immense and complex, they cannot be ignored. Urgent action is needed to promote the judicious use of this limited natural resource. Without effective policy implementation and sustainable water management, the long-term viability of India’s agricultural sector and overall water security could be at risk.
