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The first wave of the green revolution became
clearly evident during the 1968 harvest
when production in Pakistan and India, soared
by 45.7 and 34.1 percent, respectively, over
that of the previous all-time high of 1965. Many
observers attributed the increased production
primarily to favorable weather conditions.
Those who had been close to the wheat research
and production programs, however,
were all convinced it was primarily the result
of change in production technology. The 1969
harvest, despite very unfavorable weather conditions
characterized by virtually no winter
rains and higher than normal temperatures
during the time the grain was filling, was nonthe-less
larger in both countries than the
bumper crop in 1968. The production rose by
7.5 and 13.3 percent in Pakistan and India,
respectively, over that of the excellent 1968
crop; however, most of this increase was attributable
to extending the new technology to
a larger area in each of the countries, rather
than from a further increase in yield per acre
on farms already employing the new technology.
Consequently, 1969 was a critical year.
Many farmers, who had harvested very high
yields in 1968 and had cherished and anticipated
even higher yields in 1969, were disappointed.
Adverse weather conditions in East
and West Punjab, the main wheat belt, reduced
anticipated yields on some farms, and although
still good by pre-green revolution standards,
caused some concern. In Pakistan, the farmers
disenchantment was further aggravated by a
reduction of 121/2 percent in the price for
wheat grain after the harvest had already been
begun. As a result, rumors were circulated,
especially in Pakistan, to discredit the veracity
of the green revolution. One widespread rumor
stated that the lower yields were the result
of "genetic degeneration" of the Mexican varieties.
Those who were close to the wheat
research and production program knew these
rumors were not based on facts.
In spite of these apprehensions the outstanding
performance of the 1969 crop, pro-
TABLE W1. Wheat production in Pakistan and India from the All-time Record 1964-65 Crop Year through
1969·70 Showing Percentage Cumulative Change and Annual Percentage of Change. (Production in Millions
of Metric Tons.)
PAKISTAN
1. Production
2. Cumulative %)
Changeover
1964·65
3. Percentage
Annual Change
INDIA
1. Production
1964-65' 1965.66 2
4.6 1
- 19.6
- 19.6
12.3 1 10.4"
1966-67 2
4.3"
- 6.5
16.2
11.4 2
1967·68
45.7
55.8
16.5
1968·69
56.5
7.5
18.7
1969-70
8.4"
82.6
16.7
20.0"
2. Cumulative %)
Changeover
1964·65
- 15.4
7.3
34.1
52.0
62.6
3. Percentage
Annual Change
- 15.4
9.6
44.7
13.3
7.0
1 Very favorable weather, the 1964·65 crop was an all-time record production in pre-green-revolution. era.
~ Drought year.
3 Data from Annual Reports of Acceleratad Wheat Improvement Prog,am in West Pakistan.
• 1969-70 is estimated production; production data for other years from official government sources.
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