The Green Revolution in the 1960s transformed agriculture in Punjab. High-yielding seeds, chemical fertilizers, pesticides and tube well irrigation increased food production, especially of wheat and rice. Punjab became the food bowl of India, helping prevent famines.

However, this success came with serious long-term problems:

• Monoculture: Farmers began growing mainly wheat and rice. This harmed soil health and reduced crop diversity.
• Groundwater Depletion: Water-intensive rice farming led to the overuse of groundwater. Water tables dropped dangerously.
• Chemical Pollution: Overuse of fertilizers and pesticides caused soil degradation and health hazards, including cancer in some regions.
• Declining Yields: Over time, soil fertility fell and pests became resistant to chemicals.

Today, over 75% of Punjab’s agricultural zones are considered over-exploited. If this continues, the state may not be able to support farming in the future, affecting national food security.

Lessons for the future:

• We must diversify crops to reduce dependency on water-intensive grains.
• Organic and traditional methods should be promoted.
• Farmers need support for water-saving technologies.
• Public awareness and government policies must focus on sustainable agriculture.

Punjab’s case teaches us that while short-term gains are tempting, long-term sustainability is the real success.

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