Grow More Food Campaign

The Grow More Food Campaign was an agricultural initiative launched by the Government of India in the late 1940s to address the acute food shortages that emerged during and after the Second World War. It represented one of the earliest organised efforts to increase agricultural productivity and ensure food security in post-Independence India. The campaign laid the foundation for later agricultural reforms and programmes aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in food production.

Background

During the early 1940s, India faced a severe food crisis due to multiple factors including war-time disruptions, crop failures, and colonial economic policies. The situation worsened during the Bengal Famine of 1943, which resulted in the death of millions. Food imports were limited, and domestic production had fallen drastically because of neglect of the agricultural sector during the war years.
In this context, the British Indian Government launched the Grow More Food Campaign in 1943, primarily to increase domestic foodgrain production. After Independence in 1947, the Government of India continued and expanded the programme, making it a central feature of its early agricultural policy. The campaign was intended to make India self-reliant in food production and to prevent dependency on foreign imports.

Objectives of the Campaign

The main objectives of the Grow More Food Campaign were:

• To increase the production of foodgrains such as rice, wheat, and millets to meet domestic demand.
• To reduce dependence on imports of foodgrains.
• To mobilise farmers and local administrations towards higher productivity and efficient land use.
• To encourage adoption of improved seeds, fertilisers, and better agricultural practices.
• To utilise all available cultivable land, including fallow and wastelands, for food production.
• To promote community involvement and local-level planning for agricultural expansion.

Implementation and Strategy

The Grow More Food Campaign was implemented under the direction of the Ministry of Agriculture, with support from provincial and district administrations. Its approach involved both administrative measures and technical interventions.
Key steps taken under the campaign included:

• Expansion of Cultivable Area: Farmers were encouraged to bring fallow and uncultivated lands under production.
• Improved Agricultural Inputs: The government promoted the use of better seeds, chemical fertilisers, and irrigation techniques.
• Research and Extension: Agricultural research institutions were encouraged to develop high-yielding varieties and pest control measures.
• Public Participation: Awareness campaigns and extension services were used to mobilise farmers and rural communities.
• Institutional Support: Efforts were made to strengthen cooperative societies, credit facilities, and supply chains for agricultural inputs.

Challenges and Limitations

Despite its ambitious objectives, the Grow More Food Campaign faced numerous difficulties that limited its success:

• Lack of Infrastructure: Insufficient irrigation facilities, poor rural roads, and inadequate storage limited the effectiveness of production expansion.
• Scarcity of Inputs: Shortages of quality seeds, fertilisers, and agricultural implements hindered productivity gains.
• Administrative Weakness: The campaign was heavily bureaucratic, with poor coordination between central and provincial authorities.
• Limited Farmer Motivation: The benefits of increased production were not always evident to small and marginal farmers, leading to weak participation.
• Natural Calamities: Droughts, floods, and pest infestations frequently offset production gains.
• Financial Constraints: The government faced resource limitations in providing sufficient credit and subsidies to the agricultural sector.

As a result of these challenges, the campaign achieved only modest success in raising food production. While some increase was recorded, it was not sufficient to meet the growing needs of the population.

Achievements and Impact

Although the Grow More Food Campaign did not fully achieve its targets, it had several significant long-term impacts on Indian agriculture:

• Foundation for Future Policies: It marked the beginning of planned agricultural development in India, influencing later programmes such as the Community Development Programme (1952) and the Intensive Agricultural District Programme (IADP, 1960).
• Awareness Creation: The campaign generated awareness about the importance of food security and scientific agriculture among policymakers and farmers.
• Institutional Development: It led to the establishment of research stations, extension networks, and training programmes for agricultural officers.
• Policy Shift: It emphasised the need for state involvement in agricultural planning and resource allocation.

Transition to Later Programmes

The partial failure of the Grow More Food Campaign prompted the government to adopt a more comprehensive approach to rural development in subsequent years. This shift culminated in the Community Development Programme (1952) and later the Five-Year Plans, which integrated agriculture with broader economic and social development goals.
In the 1960s, lessons learned from the Grow More Food Campaign contributed to the Green Revolution, which successfully transformed India’s agricultural sector through technological innovation, high-yielding varieties, and improved irrigation systems.

Key Features of the Campaign

• Launched: 1943 (continued after 1947 under Indian Government).
• Purpose: To increase foodgrain production and achieve food security.
• Target Crops: Rice, wheat, millets, pulses, and other essential grains.
• Implementing Agency: Ministry of Agriculture and provincial administrations.
• Approach: Administrative measures, public participation, and improved farming practices.
• Outcome: Limited short-term success, but provided the groundwork for future agricultural reforms.

Advantages of the Campaign

• First major national attempt to address food insecurity through agricultural planning.
• Promoted awareness of the link between agriculture and national stability.
• Encouraged the use of improved agricultural inputs and practices.
• Created a basis for cooperative and extension networks in rural areas.

Limitations of the Campaign

• Lack of effective coordination and supervision.
• Poor access to credit and modern technology.
• Inadequate irrigation and infrastructure support.
• Bureaucratic inefficiency and weak local implementation.
• Minimal long-term impact on productivity in comparison to expectations.