Question

(a)(i) "To promote the green revolution, the Indian government provided fertilizer subsidies to the farmers." Briefly explain any two arguments in favour of such subsidies.

Hint:

Fertilizer subsidies play a crucial role in making modern agricultural inputs more accessible, which can lead to improved food security and economic growth in rural areas.

Answer 1

The fertilizer subsidies provided by the Indian government were instrumental in promoting the green revolution and boosting agricultural productivity. Two arguments in favor of such subsidies are:
1. Increased Agricultural Productivity: Fertilizer subsidies enabled farmers to afford high-quality fertilizers, which led to an increase in the usage of chemical inputs. This helped boost crop yields and contributed to greater food production, especially during the Green Revolution.
2. Encouragement of Modern Agricultural Practices: Subsidies made it financially feasible for farmers to adopt modern farming techniques, such as the use of high-yielding varieties (HYVs) of seeds, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides. This helped India transition from traditional farming to more productive and modern agricultural practices.