How has Indian agriculture been transformed from food scarcity to food surplus level? Explain the various government policies implemented for diversification of Indian agriculture. (250 words)

India’s transition from ship-to-mouth dependence to food surplus emerged from science, public investment, institutions and farmer effort, though nutrition and regional imbalances persist.

The Green Revolution combined HYV seeds, irrigation, fertiliser, extension, procurement and MSP, especially for wheat and rice. Agricultural universities, rural credit, roads, electrification, PDS and FCI created production and food-security capacity. White, Operation Flood, fisheries and horticulture expanded the food basket.

- National Horticulture Mission, MIDH and cluster development support fruits, vegetables, flowers and spices. - Pulses and oilseed missions, edible-oil initiatives and MSP/procurement reduce import dependence. - National Food Security Mission, millets promotion and nutrition schemes encourage climate-resilient crops. - PMKSY, micro-irrigation and watershed programmes promote water-efficient farming. - e-NAM, FPO support, PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises and cold-chain schemes enable value addition. - Natural farming, soil-health cards, crop insurance and digital agriculture address sustainability and risk.

Diversification must be demand-led, backed by assured markets, processing, storage, extension and remunerative prices—not forced substitution. Focus on pulses, oilseeds, millets, livestock and horticulture can improve nutrition, incomes and ecological resilience.

economy; agriculture; agricultural policy; food security