The correct option is 1 only
Explanation
The Green Revolution in India, initiated in the mid-1960s, aimed to achieve food self-sufficiency through the introduction of High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds, modern irrigation methods, and chemical inputs. The state played a crucial interventionist role to ensure the adoption of these technologies across different categories of farmers.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: To ensure that small farmers could afford the capital-intensive inputs required for the Green Revolution (such as HYV seeds and machinery), the government provided loans at low interest rates. This financial inclusion was necessary to prevent the benefits of the revolution from being restricted solely to wealthy landlords.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: Fertilizers were not taxed heavily; instead, they were subsidized. The government provided fertilizers at reduced prices to make them accessible to small farmers, acknowledging that HYV seeds required significant chemical inputs to yield results.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: Research institutes were not shut down. On the contrary, agricultural research was prioritized. Institutions under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and various agricultural universities were instrumental in developing and adapting seed varieties suitable for Indian conditions.
Key Takeaway:
The Green Revolution was supported by a robust institutional framework that included subsidized inputs (fertilizers, power), low-interest credit, and active agricultural research to ensure food security and technology adoption.