Disruptions in Agriculture Technology in India | Ashok Gulati | TEDxMDAE
Summary
TLDRThe speaker recounts India's journey from facing food scarcity to becoming a global leader in agricultural exports, highlighting the pivotal role of technology. The Green Revolution in the 1960s, marked by the introduction of high-yielding wheat varieties, transformed India's food security. The subsequent 'Gene Revolution' in cotton production and the potential of precision agriculture in the 'Brown Revolution' are discussed as significant disruptions that have and will continue to bolster India's agricultural sector, ensuring food security and sustainable practices.
Takeaways
- 🍽️ India once faced severe food security crises, leading to restrictions on food items like wheat chapati and potatoes during weddings.
- 🚢 In the 1960s, India experienced back-to-back droughts, prompting the import of high-yielding wheat varieties from Mexico, which initiated the Green Revolution.
- 🌾 The Green Revolution dramatically increased India's grain production, leading to self-sufficiency in food grains by 1971, a stark contrast to the earlier fears of mass starvation.
- 🌾🌾🌾 India's cereal production surged between 2012 and 2014, allowing the country to become a net exporter of cereals, including being the world's largest exporter of rice.
- 🥛 The 'Operation Flood' program revolutionized India's dairy industry, transforming it into the world's largest milk producer, largely due to smallholder farmers.
- 🐄 Women played a pivotal role in the dairy sector, often managing multiple tasks simultaneously, reflecting the multifaceted capabilities of rural women.
- 🧬 The introduction of GM technology in cotton in 2002 led to a gene revolution, significantly increasing India's cotton production and making it one of the top global producers and exporters.
- 💧 The next agricultural revolution, termed the 'brown revolution,' focuses on sustainable and precise agriculture to enhance productivity without overtaxing natural resources like water.
- 🌱 The integration of seed technology with precision agriculture, including real-time soil and moisture analysis, promises to further boost yields and efficiency.
- 🌐 The Indian government's initiatives, such as the use of drones and satellites for real-time tracking and support, aim to ensure timely assistance to farmers and potentially eradicate farmer suicides.
Q & A
What was the situation in India regarding food security during the time when the speaker was young?
-During the speaker's youth, India faced a significant food security crisis, with restrictions on food items like wheat chapati and potatoes, and a sense of panic due to potential starvation.
What major policy decision was taken in India during the 1960s to address food shortages?
-In the 1960s, India decided to import high-yielding varieties of dwarf wheat from Mexico, which led to the Green Revolution and significantly increased food production.
How did the Green Revolution impact India's food production within a few years?
-The Green Revolution led to a dramatic increase in grain production, with the first crop in 1967 resulting in such a surplus that the Food Corporation of India had to use school classrooms as storage.
What was the result of the Green Revolution by 1971 in terms of India's self-sufficiency?
-By 1971, India achieved self-sufficiency in food grains, no longer needing imports like the PL 480 from the US.
How did India's position change in cereal production between 2012 and 2014?
-Between 2012 and 2014, India became a significant exporter of cereals, exporting 60 million tons, a stark contrast to the past when it faced starvation.
What significant change occurred in India's milk production due to 'Operation Flood'?
-Operation Flood transformed India into the world's largest milk producer, with a significant increase from 17 million tons in 1951 to 160 million tons, largely due to small farmers.
What was the situation with cotton production in India before the introduction of GM technology in 2002?
-Before 2002, India's cotton production was unstable, with farmers facing pest attacks and many suicides due to economic stress. It was neither a significant importer nor exporter.
How did GM technology impact India's cotton production and its global standing?
-The introduction of GM technology in cotton led to India becoming either the largest or second-largest producer and exporter of cotton globally.
What is the 'brown revolution' in agriculture, and how does it differ from the Green and Gene revolutions?
-The 'brown revolution' focuses on precision agriculture, using technology to optimize soil moisture and nutrient levels, ensuring sustainable and efficient use of resources like water.
What are the potential benefits of the brown revolution for India's agriculture?
-The brown revolution promises to increase yields sustainably, reduce costs, and ensure food security while conserving natural resources like water, which is crucial for India's future.
How does the speaker suggest technology can help in reducing farmer suicides and improving their livelihoods?
-The speaker suggests that by adopting new technologies and policies, such as precision agriculture and quick compensation for crop damage, farmer suicides can be minimized, and their livelihoods can be improved.
Outlines
🌾 Green Revolution and Food Security
The speaker reminisces about the food scarcity India faced in the past, contrasting it with the current scenario where India is self-sufficient. They recount the critical decision in 1965-66 to import high-yielding wheat varieties from Mexico, which led to a dramatic increase in food production within four years, turning school classrooms into storage for the surplus grain. This period marked the beginning of India's Green Revolution, which transformed the country into a food exporter by the 1970s. The speaker emphasizes the role of technology and policy in overcoming food crises and achieving self-sufficiency.
🐄 The Transformation of India's Dairy Sector
The speaker discusses the 'Operation Flood' initiative that revolutionized India's dairy industry, turning it into the world's largest milk producer. They highlight the significant role of women in this sector, who manage multiple tasks including dairy farming. The speaker also touches upon the historical context of milk scarcity and the rationing system, which has been replaced by a surplus that allows India to export milk. The narrative showcases the impact of creative disruption in the dairy sector, leading to a remarkable increase in production and economic benefits.
🌱 Gene Revolution and Cotton Production
The speaker describes the introduction of genetically modified (GM) technology in India's cotton sector in 2002, which was met with debate but ultimately proved beneficial. They explain how this technology, despite initial resistance, led to a significant increase in cotton production, making India one of the world's largest cotton producers and exporters. The speaker calculates the economic benefits of this 'gene revolution' and discusses the broader implications of adopting new technologies for agricultural advancement and economic growth.
🌱 The Future of Agriculture: Brown Revolution and Precision Farming
The speaker envisions the next agricultural revolution, termed the 'Brown Revolution,' focusing on sustainable and precise farming practices. They discuss the importance of using technology to optimize water and nutrient usage, reducing the environmental impact while increasing productivity. The speaker also mentions the potential of precision agriculture, where soil and crop data are analyzed in real-time to inform farming practices, leading to higher yields with less resource consumption. They conclude by advocating for the adoption of these technologies to ensure food security, reduce costs, and support the livelihoods of farmers.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Food Security
💡Green Revolution
💡Drought
💡Genetic Modification (GM) Technology
💡Operation Flood
💡Creative Disruption
💡Cotton Pests
💡Precision Agriculture
💡Brown Revolution
💡Water Scarcity
💡Digitization of Agriculture
Highlights
India faced severe food security crises in the past, with weddings restricted and ships leaving every 15 minutes to feed the nation.
India experienced a back-to-back drought in 1965 and 1966, leading to a panic that millions would starve.
In response to the crisis, India imported high-yielding dwarf wheat varieties from Mexico, leading to the Green Revolution.
The Green Revolution resulted in a significant increase in grain production within four years, turning school classrooms into grain storage.
By 1971, India achieved self-sufficiency in food grains, no longer needing foreign aid like PL 480 from the US.
India became a major exporter of cereals between 2012 and 2014, with an average export of 20 million tons per year.
India is now the largest exporter of rice and a significant exporter of wheat and corn, showcasing the impact of technology on agriculture.
In the 1970s, India faced milk shortages, leading to long queues for rationed milk.
Operation Flood transformed India's dairy sector, increasing milk production from 17 million tons in 1951 to 160 million tons today.
Dr. Kurian's efforts led to a significant increase in milk production, making India the largest milk producer globally.
The dairy sector in India is predominantly driven by small farmers, with women playing a crucial role in its success.
The gene revolution in 2002 introduced GM technology in cotton, leading to a significant increase in production and exports.
India became the second-largest exporter of cotton in the world, with 95% of the cotton area under BT cotton.
The next revolution in agriculture is expected to be the brown revolution, focusing on sustainable and precise agriculture practices.
Precision agriculture involves using technology to optimize soil moisture and nutrient levels, increasing yields sustainably.
The brown revolution aims to ensure food security while conserving natural resources like water.
New government initiatives like fossil Bheema, Yogena, and the use of drones and satellites aim to digitize agriculture for better management.
The future of agriculture lies in the integration of seed technology, precision agriculture, and digitalization for sustainable food security.
Transcripts
most of you are born at a time when
India did not face any major food
security crisis but when I was at your
age think about weddings where no wheat
chapati was allowed think about no nons
only potatoes can be served and a ship
was leaving from us every 15 minutes to
feed India and suddenly the ship stopped
and there was a panic in India that
millions will starve
more than what had happened in China
during the Great Leap Forward 30 million
people had starved died in China because
of starvation between 1958 to 61 and
India I am talking of 1965 and 66 there
was a back-to-back drought like you had
in 14 and 15 those were the times good
thing is bad times give you good
policies because you are in a crisis you
can't afford to doze off and therefore
some major policy decisions are taken
and that was the time a decision was
taken to import heiling varieties of
dwarf wheat 18,000 tons from Mexico
Larmour oho and Sonora 65 these were the
two varieties which were imported and
they were distributed in Punjab Haryana
belt western yupi and within four years
first crop that came in 67 in Punjab
there was literally a burst of grain and
the Food Corporation of India which
procured that didn't have a place to
store it so the school said to be closed
down and the classrooms became the first
go downs of FCI
in 1967
and within four years by 71 the country
was talking of self-sufficiency in food
grains and we don't need PL 480 from the
US and all that history of so-called
looming starvation in 65 66 that was
made a history by one big decision that
was taken this I will call a creative
disruption of technology which was
imported from outside which later on was
called as the green revolution of India
impact of that over years if you look at
three years between twelve thirteen and
fourteen think about what happened to
the cereals in India India exported 60
million tons of cereals from this
country 6-0 on an average 20 million
tons each year a country which was
starving
through technology 12 13 14 India
largest exporter of rice in the world
and a significant exporter of wheat and
corn this is what technology can do so
this is the first and one of the biggest
creative destruction or creative
disruption he said actually Schumpeter
called it creative destruction but he
said no no we don't want to call it
creative destruction it is creative
disruption okay fine so this is what
technology can do I'm not sure how many
of you know what happened in 70s on the
milk front I used to stand in the queue
for two hours three hours in Delhi to
get two liters of milk which was
literally rationed and then the
operation flood came and the milkman of
India dr. Kurian how he turned around
think about a country which in 1951 was
producing 17
million tons of milk 1 7 and us was
producing at that time 53 million tons
of milk today us is at 91 92 million
tons of milk and where is India and he
gets from you 160 million tonnes of milk
produced by small farmers by small
farmers with 2 calls or two buffaloes or
4 buffaloes this is the biggest wonder
the creative disruption and this is a
model that we are selling to the world
that even small holders it is not the
big business it's just the backyard
housewife who is doing all 10 things and
she is also milking the cow and feeding
the cow and getting business out of that
that's why many times our women
goddesses are shown with 6 hands or 4
hands because they can do all multi
purpose jobs at a time
women employment in dairy sector is
about 70% plus so it is a wonder by the
ladies in the milk sector and today
India is the largest producer of milk in
the world last 15 years what has
happened from food to fiber 26th of
March 2002 the watch by government took
a major decision and there was a big
debate in the parliament as we had the
debate in 65 66 to import those seeds of
Green Revolution but this time it was
not the Green Revolution it was the gene
revolution the GM technology was being
brought in the country in the cotton
sector and the technology in 2002 India
was marginally importing or marginally
surplus sometimes more or less
self-sufficient in cotton but there was
a big problem that farmers were facing
at that time lot of suicides took place
because there was a pest attack on
cotton cotton is something which
attracts lot of pests
when this technology was brought in
there was a big debate OGM technology
sell out to the big multinationals and
so on and so forth what is the result
2002 to 2015 if you look at the results
India is either doubt the largest
producer of cotton in the world or
second-largest marginally just neck to
neck with China and second largest
exporter of cotton in the world
we worked it out how much is the benefit
it has given to the country if there was
a business-as-usual scenario where we
would have been visible with this
creative disruption a new technology how
much gain it has brought about and we
worked it out there is a paper fifty
four billion dollars worth fifty four
billion dollars worth 1 billion is six
thousand seven hundred crores multiply
that and look at how much so one big
decision of a particular government at a
time how much benefit it can give and
today 95% 95% of the cotton area in the
country is under bt cotton the GM
technology it has never happened
anywhere in the world that within such a
span small holders big holders medium
holders everybody had opted that
technology it has not happened in u.s.
it has not happened in Brazil or China
or others but India lapped up the
technology you remember there was a
prime minister called Lal Bahadur
Shastri and he gave the slogan Jai jawan
Jackie son that is when the decision was
taken to import huiling varieties of
seeds and Juwan we had a war in 1965 but
then the judge Irwin Jackie son was
added because of that success the Green
Revolution brought in later Prime
Minister Vajpayee when he introduced
this technology he gave a new slogan and
he added in
Jai jawan jackal Sanjaya Jam that is it
is the science waste disruptions in
agriculture which will conquer hunger
and poverty from the slant and one proof
of that decision bold decision was this
where today India has become the second
largest exporter of cotton in the world
so food and fiber both are taken care
what I am trying to take you in this
transact walk is from Green Revolution
to gene revolution today about 180
million hectares of area and the world
is under genetically modified
technologies of different crops but what
is the next revolution that is coming in
what is the next disruption that is
coming in agriculture that is going to
assure us greater food security and also
take care of the concerns that are
happening right now in India and around
the world in India although at a macro
level we are pretty food secure there
are ample supplies but still weather 20%
or 25% or 30% there is a debate how many
people are under below the poverty line
and going hungry or not well-fed so
there is a question of increasing yields
further and cutting down the costs so
that prices can come down I was talking
to some students here of organic
ventures they are thinking of organic is
good but the price is double how many
people at the bottom can afford that
that's a challenge that we have but what
is happening we may be the biggest
exporter of rice in the world in a way
we are exporting water from this country
because one litre of rice means about
5000 liters of water
similarly your sugar right here in
Maharashtra one kilogram of sugar means
2,000 liters of water and when you are
exporting these crops you are a net
exporter of water in a country that is
prone to some
of drought and you have seen even
drinking water in Marathwada had to be
ferried through so-called gel Deutz or
water trains so the challenge that is
coming is how to raise productivity in a
sustainable manner which doesn't put
pressure on the scarce natural resources
and water is going to be a major major
challenge in the years to come so how do
we do that
there is a talk of from Green Revolution
to gene revolution to brown revolution
and what is that brown revolution that
is in the offing and already work is on
in the US where three companies have
tied together and they are mapping each
square kilometre area in u.s. in terms
of their moisture content the soil
characteristics and so on and so forth
so at a time when a harvester is
harvesting the crop they take a sample
of the soil analyze it right there send
the data on the cloud it is analyzed and
there is a machinery of a particular
company I don't want to give the names
of those companies that particular
company instructs its you know tractor
or seed guerrilla how much seed how much
of fertilizers of nutrients of NPK needs
to be provided and at what depth of
moisture literally the machine is in
auto mode auto pilot mode like an
aeroplane is flying and landing same
thing happens in cultivation this is the
precision agriculture that means
wherever you need how much water and how
much of nutrients so the yields of corn
in that area are about 11 tonnes per
hectare compared to in India 2.5 tons
per hectare so you look at the potential
the new technologies can offer in the
years to come
green gene and brown why it is called
brown revolution because it takes care
of Mother Earth
what it exactly needs not overdose as
your food if you had more of oil in it
you would be sleeping right here so
question is how much the soil needs
exact balance diet if the soil gets and
the right moisture and water it gets it
can give you a very high productivity
given the seed is also ready to absorb
those types of things so the seed
technology along with this preseason
technology this is what the future of
agriculture and taking care of your food
security and cutting down the costs
taking care of nature making it
available to the poorest of the poor
that is what the new revolution is going
to be last what I would say is what the
new government is talking about reaching
each and every household through the
farming households through fossil Bheema
yogena
and flying drones and satellites and
doves what is called the low Earth
orbits leo's to track the position of
each and every field digitized plots
they can be tracked what is the
situation of the crop and the
compensation can be given to the farmers
within two weeks after crop damage
assessment of a drought or any hailstorm
or it's at present it is taking more
than a year and that's why you hear all
suicides and other unfortunate things in
the farming community I think once that
is installed taking care of this new
technology and the new policy vision I
think suicides can be a history and this
country can flourish both the farmers
and they can provide you food security
at a lower cost and a more nutritious
food thank you very much
you
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