‘Self-sufficiency’ in food. In the true sense of freedom from hunger, has not been achieved in India in spite of a more than three-fold rise in food grains production over 1950-1990. Which of the following are the reasons for it ? I. The green revolution has been restricted to small pockets of the country. II. The cost of food is too high compared to the earnings of the poor. III. Too much emphasis is laid on wheat and paddy compared to the coarse grains. IV. The gain s of the green revolution have largely accrued to the cash crop rather than food crops. Select the correct answer from the codes given below. Codes :

The statement I is correct because the Green Revolution’s benefits were geographically concentrated and did not spread uniformly beyond a few states and regions, leaving many areas unaffected [1]. Statement III is correct since the productivity gains were concentrated in a limited set of cereals (notably wheat and rice), while coarse grains, pulses and many local crops did not see comparable increases [1]. Statement II—lack of effective access/affordability—also explains persistent hunger: despite aggregate output growth, large numbers remain food-insecure and unable to procure adequate food, indicating a purchasing-power problem among the poor [3]. Statement IV is incorrect because Green Revolution gains were mainly in staple cereals (wheat/rice) rather than shifting benefits to cash crops [2].

Sources

1. [1] Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > CHALLENGES FACED DUE TO GREEN REVOLUTION > p. 296
2. [2] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 9: Agriculture > Green Revolution—Achievements > p. 73
3. [3] https://www.downtoearth.org.in/food/india-claims-to-be-self-sufficient-in-food-production-but-facts-say-otherwise-62091