Q4.Why did the Green Revolution in India virtually bypass the eastern region despite fertile soil and good availability of water?

The Green Revolution significantly boosted agricultural productivity in India, primarily in the Northwest. However, its impact virtually bypassed the eastern region, despite fertile soil and abundant water, due to a confluence of systemic challenges.

• Initial Green Revolution efforts concentrated on Northwest India, lacking strong political will and policy focus on the eastern region.
• Limited access to institutional credit, quality HYV seeds, fertilizers, and modern farm machinery for small and marginal farmers.
• Weak agricultural extension services and low farmer awareness regarding new techniques.

• Small, fragmented landholdings and complex tenancy issues hindered technology adoption and investment.
• Inadequate, uncontrolled irrigation, despite high rainfall, caused waterlogging and limited controlled water supply for HYV crops.
• Frequent floods and poor drainage in the Gangetic plains made the region unsuitable for consistent HYV cultivation.

Thus, a combination of structural, institutional, and agro-climatic factors collectively prevented the Green Revolution from transforming Eastern India's agriculture, necessitating tailored strategies.