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Tag: Chapter 2 Indian Economy 1950 – 1990 Class 11th NCERT

  • Class 11th Economics Indian Economy 1950 – 1990 Chapter-2 Question-7

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    Question 7. What is Green Revolution? Why was it implemented and how did it benefit the farmers? Explain in brief.

    Answer

    Green Revolution refers to the large increase in agricultural production, especially of wheat and rice, due to the use of High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds along with assured irrigation, fertilisers and pesticides in India from the mid-1960s onwards.

    Why was the Green Revolution implemented?

    • Agricultural productivity was very low at the time of independence

    • India depended on food imports, especially from the USA

    • Frequent droughts and monsoon failures caused food shortages

    • To achieve self-sufficiency in food grains and ensure food security

    • To modernise agriculture using scientific methods

    How did it benefit the farmers?

    • Increased crop yield and farm output

    • Raised farm incomes, especially in irrigated regions

    • Created higher marketable surplus for sale

    • Reduced the risk of famine and hunger

    • Enabled the government to build buffer stocks of food grains

    Dr. M. S. Swaminathan is regarded as the chief architect and proponent of the Green Revolution in India for his role in introducing High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds and modern agricultural practices, especially in wheat and rice production.

    Conclusion 

    The Green Revolution transformed Indian agriculture by increasing productivity and making India self-sufficient in food grains, though its benefits were initially limited to certain regions and crops

  • Class 11th Economics Indian Economy 1950 – 1990 Chapter-2 Question-6

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    Question 6. Explain the need and type of land reforms implemented in the agriculture sector.

    Answer

    Need for Land Reforms

    At the time of independence, Indian agriculture was marked by inequitable land distribution, low productivity and exploitation of cultivators. The land tenure system was dominated by intermediaries such as zamindars who collected rent but did not invest in improving agriculture. The actual tillers had no ownership rights, which reduced their incentive to increase production. Therefore, land reforms were needed to:

    • Ensure equity and social justice in rural areas

    • Increase agricultural productivity by giving land ownership to cultivators

    • Remove intermediaries who exploited peasants

    • Reduce concentration of landholding in a few hands

    • Promote the principle of “land to the tiller”

    Types of Land Reforms Implemented

    1. Abolition of Intermediaries

      • Zamindari, jagirdari and related systems were abolished.

      • Ownership rights were transferred to actual tillers of the soil.

      • This ended exploitation and encouraged farmers to invest in land improvement.

    2. Tenancy Reforms

      • Tenants were given security of tenure and fair rent.

      • In some cases, tenants were allowed to purchase land from landlords.

    3. Land Ceiling Laws

      • A maximum limit was fixed on the amount of land an individual could own.

      • Surplus land was taken by the government and redistributed to landless farmers.

    4. Consolidation of Landholdings

      • Fragmented and scattered landholdings were consolidated into single plots.

      • This improved efficiency of cultivation and use of modern technology.

    Land reforms were a major policy initiative after independence aimed at improving equity and productivity in agriculture. Though successful in states like Kerala and West Bengal, their impact remained limited in many parts of India due to poor implementation and loopholes in laws.

  • Class 11th Economics Indian Economy 1950 – 1990 Chapter-2 Question-5

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    Question 5. What is marketable surplus?

    Answer:
    Marketable surplus refers to that part of agricultural produce which the farmers sell in the market after meeting their own consumption requirements. It plays an important role in stabilising food prices and supplying food grains to urban and non-farming populations.

    EXTRA DRILLINGS

    Importance of Marketable Surplus

    • Helps in maintaining regular supply of food grains in the market

    • Enables the government to procure grains for buffer stock and public distribution

    • Contributes to price stability, especially during shortages

    • Supports growth of non-agricultural sectors by supplying food

    • Increased significantly during the Green Revolution period

    Numerical Example (Simple)

    Suppose a farmer produces 100 quintals of wheat in a year.

    • Kept for family consumption = 30 quintals

    • Used as seed and for livestock = 10 quintals

    Total personal use = 40 quintals

    👉 Marketable surplus = 100 − 40 = 60 quintals

    So, 60 quintals is the marketable surplus — the quantity sold in the market.

    Flow-chart 

    Total Agricultural Production
    ↓
    Farmer’s Own Consumption
    (food, seed, livestock use)
    ↓
    Remaining Produce
    ↓
    Marketable Surplus (Sold in the Market)

    Why Marketable Surplus is Important

    A higher marketable surplus increases food availability in the market, helps the government build buffer stocks, and ensures stable food prices, especially during shortages

  • Class 11th Economics Indian Economy 1950 – 1990 Chapter-2 Question-4

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    Question 4. What are High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds?

    High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds are specially developed seeds that produce a much higher output per hectarecompared to traditional seeds.

    In simple words:

    • They are scientifically improved seeds

    • Give more yield, especially of crops like wheat and rice

    • Need adequate irrigation, fertilisers, and pesticides to work effectively

    • Were a key factor behind India’s Green Revolution

    These seeds helped break the stagnation in Indian agriculture and played a major role in making India self-sufficient in food grains during the post-independence period (especially from the mid-1960s onwards)

    In short, High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds are scientifically developed seeds that produce a much higher output per hectare compared to traditional seeds. They require adequate irrigation, fertilisers and pesticides and were a major factor behind the Green Revolution in India, helping the country achieve self-sufficiency in food grains.

    ____________________________

    EXTRA DRILLING

    Short Note: Advantages and Limitations of HYV Seeds

    Advantages

    • Significantly increase agricultural productivity

    • Help in achieving food security and self-sufficiency

    • Contributed to the success of the Green Revolution

    • Increased marketable surplus of food grains

    • Improved farmers’ incomes in irrigated regions

    Limitations

    • Require heavy use of irrigation, fertilisers and pesticides

    • Not suitable for rain-fed and drought-prone areas

    • Initially benefited mainly large and affluent farmers

    • Higher vulnerability to pests and diseases

    • Can increase inequality if state support is absent

  • 11th/Economics/Indian Economy 1950-1990/Chapter-2/Question-3

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    Question 3. Why should plans have goals?

    Plans should have clearly defined goals because goals give direction, clarity, and purpose to the planning process.

    First, goals help in deciding priorities. Since resources in an economy are limited, it is not possible to achieve everything at the same time. Clearly stated goals help planners choose what is more important and allocate resources accordingly.

    Second, goals provide a basis for policy formulation. When goals like growth, equity, self-reliance, and modernisation are fixed, appropriate policies and strategies can be designed to achieve them.

    Third, goals help in measuring performance and success. Without goals, it would be difficult to assess whether a plan has been successful or not. Goals act as benchmarks for evaluation.

    Finally, goals ensure coordination and consistency among different sectors of the economy. They help align policies in agriculture, industry, education, and infrastructure towards a common national objective.

    Conclusion

    Thus, plans must have goals to ensure focused development, effective use of resources, policy coherence, and proper evaluation of outcomes.

    EXTRA DRILLING

    Difference between Planning and Goals in Indian Economic Development

    Planning and goals are closely related, but they are not the same.

    Planning refers to the overall process or method adopted by the government to achieve development.
    Goals refer to the objectives or targets that the planning process seeks to achieve.

    Explanation in simple words

    • Planning answers “How will development be carried out?”
      (by preparing Five Year Plans, allocating resources, choosing priority sectors)

    • Goals answer “What do we want to achieve through development?”
      (such as growth, equity, self-reliance, and modernisation)

    Difference at a glance

    Basis Planning Goals
    Meaning A systematic process of using resources for development

    Desired outcomes of the planning process
    Nature Means / method Ends / objectives
    Focus Allocation of resources, policies, and strategies

    Growth, equity, self-reliance, modernisation
    Time frame Usually medium or long-term (e.g., Five Year Plans)

    Can be short-term or long-term
    Example (India) Five Year Plans, Planning Commission

    Growth, equity, self-reliance, modernisation

    One-liner

    Planning is the organised process of economic decision-making, while goals are the objectives that planning aims to achieve.

  • Class 11th Economics Indian Economy 1950-1990 Chapter-2 Question-2

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    Question 2. Why did India opt for planning?

    India opted for economic planning after independence to overcome the deep economic problems inherited from colonial rule and to ensure balanced and inclusive development.

    At the time of independence, India was marked by widespread poverty, low per capita income, unemployment, agricultural stagnation, and industrial backwardness. The market forces alone were considered inadequate to address these challenges. Hence, a planned approach was seen as necessary.

    One major reason was to ensure rapid economic development. Through planning, the government could systematically allocate scarce resources to priority sectors like agriculture, industry, education, and infrastructure.

    Planning was also adopted to promote social justice and equity. India aimed to reduce inequalities of income and wealth and ensure that the benefits of growth reached all sections of society, not just a few.

    Another important reason was to achieve self-reliance. After colonial exploitation, India wanted to reduce dependence on foreign countries for essential goods, capital, and technology.

    Lastly, planning was necessary to define a clear role for the public sector. Large industries, infrastructure, and heavy investments required government intervention, which private enterprise alone could not provide.

    Conclusion

    Thus, India opted for planning to achieve growth, equity, self-reliance, and overall national development in a systematic and coordinated manner.

  • Class 11th Economics Indian Economy 1950-1990 Chapter-2 Question-1

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    Question 1. Define a plan.

    A plan refers to a systematic statement of how a nation’s resources are to be used to achieve specific economic and social objectives within a given period of time. It outlines both general goals and specific targets, along with the policies and priorities required to achieve them.

    In the Indian context, plans were usually framed for a five-year period and hence were called Five Year Plans. These plans also formed part of a longer-term development strategy known as the perspective plan.

    EXTRA DRILLING

    India has completed 12 Five Year Plans so far.

    • The First Five Year Plan began in 1951.

    • The Twelfth Five Year Plan covered the period 2012–2017.

    After 2017, the system of Five Year Plans was discontinued and replaced by NITI Aayog, which follows a long-term vision (15 years), 7-year strategy, and 3-year action agenda instead of Five Year Plans.