The correct option is 1 only
Explanation
Agricultural development in India has evolved through distinct phases, starting with structural changes in land ownership immediately after independence, followed by technological interventions to enhance productivity, and later institutional reforms to improve credit access.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: The First Five Year Plan (1951-1956) prioritized the primary sector to address severe food shortages and inflation. A central component of this plan was land reforms, which included the abolition of intermediaries (Zamindars), tenancy reforms, and the imposition of ceilings on land holdings to ensure equitable distribution of land resources.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Green Revolution was introduced in India in the mid-1960s (specifically 1966-67), not the 1980s. It involved the introduction of High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds, mechanization, and improved irrigation, primarily in states like Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: The Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme was introduced in 1998 to provide adequate and timely credit support to farmers. The scheme has not been discontinued; rather, it has been expanded over the years to include term loans for agriculture and allied activities, and recently, the benefits were extended to animal husbandry and fisheries farmers.
Key Takeaway:
Post-independence agricultural strategy began with Land Reforms (1950s), shifted to technological upgrades via the Green Revolution (1960s), and later focused on institutional credit mechanisms like the Kisan Credit Card (1998).