Merit of Green Revolution:

1. Increased Agricultural Productivity:
- The Green Revolution significantly increased agricultural productivity by introducing high-yielding varieties of crops, such as wheat and rice.
- These new varieties were more resistant to diseases and pests, had shorter growing cycles, and produced higher yields compared to traditional varieties.
- As a result, farmers were able to produce more food per unit of land, leading to increased food production and improved food security.

2. Improved Livelihoods:
- The Green Revolution played a crucial role in improving the livelihoods of farmers, particularly in developing countries.
- By adopting high-yielding varieties and modern agricultural practices, farmers were able to increase their incomes and improve their standard of living.
- Increased agricultural productivity also created employment opportunities in rural areas, as more labor was required for farming activities.
- The additional income generated from the Green Revolution helped alleviate poverty and reduce rural-urban migration.

Demerit of Green Revolution:

1. Environmental Degradation:
- The Green Revolution had adverse environmental impacts, primarily due to the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
- High-yielding varieties required intensive use of these inputs to achieve optimal crop yields, leading to soil degradation, water pollution, and reduced biodiversity.
- The overuse of chemical inputs also contributed to the emergence of resistant pests and weeds, requiring even higher doses of chemicals to control them.

2. Dependency on External Inputs:
- The Green Revolution made farmers highly dependent on external inputs, such as fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation.
- This dependency on external inputs increased production costs for farmers, as they had to purchase these inputs from the market.
- In many cases, small-scale farmers faced difficulties in accessing and affording these inputs, leading to disparities in agricultural productivity and income.
- Moreover, the reliance on irrigation for high-yielding varieties placed a strain on water resources, leading to water scarcity in some areas.

3. Loss of Agrobiodiversity:
- The focus on a few high-yielding crop varieties during the Green Revolution led to a loss of agrobiodiversity.
- Traditional crop varieties and local landraces were displaced by uniform and standardized varieties, which reduced genetic diversity in agricultural systems.
- This loss of agrobiodiversity increased the vulnerability of crops to diseases, pests, and climate change, as there were fewer genetic resources available for adaptation and resilience.