- Pre-Independence:
- Agrarian structure dominated by landlords, moneylenders, colonial state.
- Unfairly distorted land rights of peasants.
- Low investment in agriculture improvement.
- Early Post-Independence (1951-1966):
- Food grain production rose at 2.8% per annum, failing to keep up with population.
- India relied on food grain imports (e.g., PL 480 from US).
- Faced unprecedented food crisis due to wars and droughts (1965, 1966).
- Green Revolution (1966-1990):
- Introduction of HYV seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, better irrigation.
- Production increased significantly, India became self-sufficient.
- Spread in phases from Punjab/Haryana to other regions.
- Post-Liberalization (1991 onwards):
- Agriculture growth remained on a cyclical path around 3%.
- Did not keep pace with non-agriculture sector growth (6-8%).
- Neglect of market reforms in agriculture sector.
- Focus on MSP and subsidies continued.