What is BGREI Programme? Evaluate its role in Indian agriculture in recent times.

The touch of the High Yielding Variety technology, implemented through the “Green Revolution in India” has been witnessed by only some states like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana. To promote a nationwide extension, especially focusing on the eastern region, the BGREI scheme was formulated.

BGREI

“Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI)” project is a sub-scheme of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana that was introduced in 2010-11.  The main objective of the scheme was to nullify the factors that created impediments in the productivity of rice-based cropping systems in the eastern Indian state i.e. West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Assam, Bihar, Odisha, and Eastern UP.

Other objectives

• Use of modern technology for enhanced rice and wheat production.
• Increasing the crop density and income increment of the farmers by promoting cultivation fallow lands.
• Efficient use of water resources by formulating well-designed harvesting structures.
• Improvement of market operation in the post-harvest period.

Role & impact

The program has been a success in the targeted region. The eastern region of the country has been encountering mishaps like life loss due to starvation, malnutrition, not availability of adequate balanced food. The scheme has changed the area into a food surplus zone.

• It has increased the per hectare productivity of rice crops among the marginal farmers, as well as increasing the overall productivity among the small farmers.
• The income differences of the beneficiary farmers before and after adaptation of the scheme showed a significant increase. The income has increased by about Rs 15,000 in a year.
• Percent wise increase is highest in the case of the small farmers (65%). It is followed by large farmers (62%), marginal farmers (48%), and medium farmers (29%).

Comment

Eastern India covered under the BGREI program has experienced massive growth including the yielding of rice, wheat, and Rabi pulses. But, more effort is needed to reduce the gaps between what is recommended, promoted, and what is implemented. Regular monitoring programs by State agriculture departments, linking of beneficiaries and State machinery in combination with greater effort and coordination will definitely boost the agricultural sector.

Topics: GS-IV: Ethics and Human Interface