Answer:
Land use for cereal production in India has changed over time due to various factors such as changes in agricultural practices, government policies, and market demands. In the 1950s and 1960s, India faced a severe food shortage due to a rapidly growing population, which led to the implementation of the Green Revolution. This initiative aimed to increase crop yields through the use of modern technologies such as high-yielding seed varieties, irrigation, and fertilizers.
As a result of the Green Revolution, there was a significant increase in the area of land used for cereal production in India, particularly for wheat and rice. However, this increase in cereal production also had some negative environmental consequences, such as soil degradation, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity.
In recent years, there has been a shift towards more sustainable agricultural practices in India, such as organic farming, conservation agriculture, and agroforestry. These practices aim to improve soil health, reduce pesticide and fertilizer use, and promote biodiversity.
Despite these changes in land use and agricultural practices, cereal production in India has continued to increase over time. According to the Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO), India produced over 290 million tonnes of cereal in 2019, making it the second-largest cereal producer in the world after China.
Overall, the changes in land use for cereal production in India have had a significant impact on food security and the environment. While the Green Revolution helped to boost cereal production and alleviate food shortages, it also had some negative environmental consequences. The shift towards more sustainable agricultural practices in recent years has aimed to address these issues and promote more resilient and sustainable food systems.