Evaluation of the BGREI Programme

Bringing Green Revolution in Eastern India or BGREI scheme was launched in 2010-11 by the UPA government on the basis of recommendation of a Planning Commission task force. This task force focussed on the degrading soil / groundwater condition of western part of the country and then made a case for shifting the focus of agriculture to the eastern parts of the country by enhancing production of paddy, maize and other crops.

• It recommended that the water guzzling crops such as sugarcane, rice, aquaculture etc. should be gradually shifted from north-western India to Eastern states. It also suggested measures for water use efficiency; increasing irrigation potential; crop diversification etc.
• Further, it suggested that since farmers in eastern region are more prone to risks due to natural calamities such as floods, cyclones, drought etc. the farmers of these states should be protected against such disasters through appropriate safety nets such as effective warning system; insurance coverage; contingent plans; soft loans etc.
• It also suggested that since the land holdings in Eastern India are small; the government should promote alternative income generating activities such as livestock (mixed farming); aquaculture; forestry etc. Government should also take proactive steps to promote judicious use of natural resources. { https://www.gktoday.in/bgrei/[currentuser_id]}

The BGREI programme is currently running in seven states of Eastern part of the country viz. Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal.

Evaluation of the BGREI Programme

The BGREI scheme was launched with the call of “Second Green Revolution” in the eastern region of the country and has done fairly in terms of Rice Production due to availability of plenty of water coupled with government efforts.