CAPF AC 2020 Q50: Indian Economy – Agriculture & Rural Development
In which of the following states high yielding varieties of food grains were introduced as part of the first phase of Green Revolution (1966-72)?
1. Andhra Pradesh
2. Tamil Nadu
3. Punjab
4. Haryana
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- (a) 1, 2 and 3
- (b) 2, 3 and 4
- (c) 1 and 2 only
- (d) 3 and 4 only
Answer: (d) 3 and 4 only
Explanation
First phase of the Green Revolution (1966-72)
How to think: the first high yielding seeds were of wheat.
They needed assured irrigation, so they went first to the irrigated wheat belt of the north-west.
| State | In the first phase? | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Andhra Pradesh | No, by the answer key | Rice State; spread came in the later phase |
| 2. Tamil Nadu | No, by the answer key | Rice State; spread came in the later phase |
| 3. Punjab | Yes | Canal and tubewell irrigation; wheat |
| 4. Haryana | Yes | Irrigated wheat belt |
Two phases:
| Phase | Period | Spread |
|---|---|---|
| First | Mid-1960s to early 1970s | Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh; mainly wheat |
| Second | 1970s and 1980s | More States and more crops, especially rice |
Note: NCERT's Indian Economic Development names Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu for the first phase.
The answer key for this paper follows the wheat belt view.
Answer: (d) 3 and 4 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. This leaves out Haryana, a core State of the wheat belt.
- (b) Incorrect. This adds Tamil Nadu, which the key places in the later phase.
- (c) Incorrect. Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu alone leave out the wheat belt.
- (d) CORRECT. Punjab and Haryana were the heart of the first phase.
Key point
Green Revolution phase one (1966-72): high yielding wheat in irrigated Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh. Phase two: spread to rice and to other States.
Remember
First Green Revolution = wheat in Punjab, Haryana, western UP.
Common mistakes
- Thinking the Green Revolution began with rice; it began with wheat.
- Forgetting western Uttar Pradesh, the third part of the first-phase belt.
- Missing that NCERT lists Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu too; know both versions.
Exam tip
Link the seed to water: early high yielding seeds needed assured irrigation, found in the north-west.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI Economics — Indian Economic Development (Indian Economy 1950-1990: Green Revolution)
- Bipan Chandra, Mridula Mukherjee and Aditya Mukherjee — India Since Independence (Penguin): the Green Revolution