Answer:
The Golden Revolution refers to the period in India's agricultural history marked by the significant increase in the production of horticultural crops, particularly fruits, vegetables, and flowers. This revolution aimed to bring about improvements in the production, processing, packaging, and marketing of these crops.
**Key Points:**
- **Initiation:** The Golden Revolution was initiated in the late 1980s and gained momentum in the 1990s.
- **Focus:** It focused on diversifying agriculture beyond traditional food crops like wheat and rice to include high-value crops such as fruits (like mangoes, citrus fruits), vegetables (like potatoes, onions), and flowers (like roses, marigolds).
- **Objectives:** The main objectives were to increase farmer incomes, enhance agricultural productivity, reduce dependence on imports, and meet the growing demand for perishable horticultural products in domestic and international markets.
- **Government Support:** The Indian government, through various agricultural policies, subsidies, and technological interventions, supported the Golden Revolution. Programs like the National Horticulture Mission (NHM) were launched to boost horticultural production and improve farm practices.
The Golden Revolution played a crucial role in transforming India's agricultural landscape by promoting modern agricultural practices, improving farm infrastructure, and integrating farmers into global supply chains for horticultural products. It has significantly contributed to the growth of India's agriculture sector and the economy as a whole.
