The Green Revolution remains one of independent India’s most defining agricultural achievements. By promoting mechanisation, high-yield seed varieties and widespread use of chemical fertilisers, it enabled India to move from food scarcity to food security in key staples such as wheat and rice. However, decades later, the environmental and social costs of this transition are becoming increasingly evident.
The shift to monoculture reduced agricultural biodiversity, particularly in Punjab and Haryana, which were at the centre of the Green Revolution. Heavy use of fertilisers and pesticides has degraded soil and contaminated water sources. Water tables have fallen sharply due to the cultivation of water-intensive crops in regions not naturally suited for them. As input costs rise and soil health declines, farmers are increasingly caught in a cycle of low returns and environmental strain.
The challenges facing agriculture today are complex. Climate change, nutritional deficiencies, socio-economic inequalities and weak integration with global supply chains require new strategies. Many experts argue that the next phase of transformation must focus on sustainability, resilience and farmer empowerment, often described as a Green Revolution 2.0.
One approach gaining traction is ecosystem-based adaptation. Rising temperatures and erratic monsoon patterns threaten yields, especially of staples like rice and wheat. With nearly 60 percent of Indian farming still dependent on rainfall, climate disruptions pose serious risks. Ecosystem-based adaptation promotes practices such as crop rotation, diversification and agroforestry.
These strategies improve soil health, reduce dependency on costly chemical inputs and help farmers withstand climate variability. Poplar-based agroforestry in Punjab and Haryana is cited as a successful example where farmers gain both income security and environmental resilience.
The focus is also shifting from food security to food sovereignty. While India may be calorie sufficient, nutritional security remains a concern. High rates of child stunting and wasting highlight unequal access to balanced diets. Food sovereignty emphasizes local control over food systems, fair supply chains and farmer empowerment through cooperatives and Farmer Producer Organisations. Strengthening these groups can improve bargaining power, reduce exploitation and help farmers reach global markets. Better nutritional profiles in crops could also enhance India’s agricultural exports.
Technology is expected to play a major role in this transition. Rising input costs make traditional farming practices less viable. Precision agriculture offers a way to use water, fertilisers and pesticides efficiently through sensors, satellite mapping, GPS systems, drones and digital monitoring tools. However, these technologies require initial investment, and experts suggest government support will be essential to ensure farmers can adopt them.
Agriculture remains a state subject, which complicates national-level reform. Even so, cooperative federalism has proven effective in areas such as the development of digital platforms like AgriStack, which can support data-driven policies. The path forward, specialists say, requires a comprehensive ecosystem of reforms that align public support, private innovation and farmer incentives.
India is often accused of market distortion at the World Trade Organization for its farmer subsidies. Advocates argue that empowering farmers to be self-sufficient through food sovereignty and value-added production can reduce dependency on state support. With the world’s largest area of arable land and diverse agro-climatic zones, India holds immense potential to become a global leader in sustainable and nutritious agricultural production. The question now is how effectively policy, technology and community action can come together to make that vision possible.