Increasing dependence on market

- The second phase of the green revolution refers to the period from the late 1980s onwards when new technologies and practices were introduced to further increase agricultural productivity.
- One of the main characteristics of this phase was the increasing dependence on the market for inputs and outputs.
- Previously, during the first phase of the green revolution, farmers were provided with subsidized inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides by the government.
- However, in the second phase, farmers had to purchase these inputs from the market at market prices, which increased their dependence on the market.
- This shift towards market-driven agriculture was driven by the belief that market forces would ensure efficiency and productivity in the agricultural sector.

Farmers switched to Multi-crop system from Mono-crop system

- One of the key features of the second phase of the green revolution was the shift from a mono-crop system to a multi-crop system.
- In the first phase, the focus was on increasing the productivity of a few select crops, such as wheat and rice.
- However, in the second phase, farmers were encouraged to diversify their crops and cultivate a wider range of crops.
- This was done to reduce the risk of crop failure and to promote a more sustainable and balanced agricultural system.
- Farmers were encouraged to grow a variety of crops such as pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, and fruits alongside the traditional crops like wheat and rice.
- This shift towards a multi-crop system aimed to enhance food security, improve farmers' income, and reduce the dependence on a few select crops.

Green revolution resulted in increased regional inequalities

- One of the negative consequences of the green revolution, especially in its second phase, was the increased regional inequalities.
- The introduction of high-yielding varieties of seeds, irrigation facilities, and modern farming practices primarily benefited the farmers in the regions where these technologies were implemented effectively.
- As a result, there was a significant disparity in agricultural productivity and income between regions that adopted the green revolution technologies and those that did not.
- The regions that were able to adopt these technologies and practices experienced rapid economic growth and development, while the regions that lagged behind faced stagnation and marginalization.
- This led to increased regional inequalities in terms of agricultural productivity, income levels, and access to resources and infrastructure.

Increased risks for farmers

- Another consequence of the green revolution, particularly in its second phase, was the increased risks for farmers.
- The introduction of high-yielding varieties of seeds and modern farming practices required farmers to invest heavily in inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation facilities.
- However, these investments were not always guaranteed to result in higher returns.
- Farmers faced the risk of crop failure due to factors such as drought, pests, diseases, or market fluctuations.
- In addition, the increased use of chemical inputs and irrigation led to environmental degradation and depletion of natural resources, further exacerbating the risks for farmers.
- The shift towards market-driven agriculture also made farmers more vulnerable to market forces and price fluctuations, increasing their economic risks.