Question

Which of the following is not an advantage of the Green Revolution in India ?

• A. Use of HYV seeds for cultivation.
• B. Introduction of easy credit schemes for the marginal farmers.
• C. Use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
• D. Improvement of irrigation facilities in the dryzone areas.

Hint:

Questions about the Green Revolution often test your knowledge of its pros and cons. The main pro is increased food production. The main cons are environmental damage (from chemicals and water use) and increased social inequality.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks to identify which option is not considered a positive outcome or advantage of the Green Revolution, implying it might have negative consequences. The passage provides clues to this.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
\[\begin{array}{rl} \bullet & \text{(A) Use of HYV seeds: This was the cornerstone of the Green Revolution and led to a sharp increase in food production, which was a major advantage.} \\ \bullet & \text{(B) Introduction of easy credit schemes: The passage mentions "access to credit facilities" as part of the strategy. This helped farmers afford the new inputs, which was an intended advantage.} \\ \bullet & \text{(C) Use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides: While the use of these inputs was central to the Green Revolution and boosted yields in the short term, the passage explicitly states a major disadvantage: "the excess usage of chemical fertilizers and pesticides have harmed the long-term fertility of soil." Therefore, in the long run, this is not considered an unmitigated advantage.} \\ \bullet & \text{(D) Improvement of irrigation facilities: The passage mentions "assured water supplies" as a key input. Expanding irrigation was a crucial advantage that made the HYV seeds viable.} \\ \end{array}\] While the use of chemicals was part of the package that increased yields, its negative long-term environmental impact makes it the answer that is "not an advantage" in a holistic sense.

Step 4: Final Answer:
The use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is not considered a pure advantage due to its negative impact on long-term soil fertility.