Chronology of Modern Agriculture in India: A Historical Journey

The evolution of modern agriculture in India has been shaped by a series of significant milestones, institutions, and reforms over the last century and a half. From the early establishment of agricultural departments to the creation of specialized research institutions, each step has contributed to shaping India’s agricultural landscape. Below is a chronological account of the key events that defined modern agriculture in India.

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19th Century Developments

• 1871 – Establishment of the Department of Revenue, Agriculture and Commerce (DRAC).
• 1874 – A severe famine struck Bihar, highlighting the urgent need for agricultural reforms.
• 1875 – Creation of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) at Pune, Maharashtra.
• 1876 – Famine in Madras and Bombay presidencies.
• 1877 – Famine in Punjab and Central Provinces, causing the death of nearly 10 lakh people.
• 1878 – Higher education in agriculture began at Coimbatore.
• 1880 – Appointment of the Famine Commission.
• 1881 – Government of India started the Department of Revenue and Agriculture in provinces.
• 1882 – Establishment of a Veterinary College at Lahore (now in Pakistan).
• 1890 – Higher education in agriculture introduced at Pune.
• 1891 – Dr. J. A. Volcker submitted a report on the Improvement of Indian Agriculture.
• 1892 – Appointment of an agricultural chemist and assistant chemist for research and teaching.
• 1899–1900 – The devastating Chhapania Famine.

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Early 20th Century Reforms

• 1900 – Establishment of the Forest Research Institute.
• 1901–1905 – Agricultural colleges were founded at Pune, Kanpur, Sabour, Nagpur, Lyallpur, and Coimbatore.
• 1901 – Formation of the First Irrigation Commission.
• 1903 – Appointment of the first entomologists in India.
• 1905 – Establishment of the Imperial Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) at Pusa (Bihar), later shifted to New Delhi in 1936.
• 1906 – Launch of the Agriculture Journal of India.
• 1921 – Creation of the Indian Central Cotton Committee.
• 1926 – Appointment of the Royal Commission on Agriculture headed by Lord Linlithgow.
• 1928 – Royal Commission on Agriculture submitted its report.
• 1929 (16 July) – Establishment of the Imperial Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) at New Delhi (now the Indian Council of Agricultural Research).
• 1931 – Formation of the Indian Central Lac Committee.
• 1935 (April 1st) – Establishment of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) through the RBI Act, 1934.
• 1936 – Creation of the Indian Central Jute Committee.
• 1940 – Launch of the monthly journal Indian Farming by ICAR.
• 1942 – Establishment of the Department of Food.
• 1943 – The Great Bengal Famine, caused by Helminthosporium oryzae.

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Post-Independence Agricultural Developments

• 1944 – Formation of the Indian Central Sugarcane Committee.
• 1944 – Dr. W. Burns presented a report on Technological Possibilities of Agricultural Development in India.
• 1945 – Sir Pheroze Kharegat submitted a memorandum on agriculture and animal husbandry development.
• 1945 – Establishment of the Indian Central Coconut Committee and the Indian Central Tobacco Committee.
• 1946 – Establishment of the Directorate of Plant Protection & Quarantine.
• 1946 – Creation of the Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI).
• 1946 (Dec 11) – UNICEF set up its headquarters in New York.
• 1947 – Formation of the Food Policy Committee, Indian Central Oilseeds Committee, and Fertilizers & Chemicals Travancore.
• 1948 – Establishment of the FAO (Food & Agriculture Organization), headquartered in Rome, Italy.
• 1948 (Jan) – Signing of GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade), later replaced by WTO.
• 1949 (Jan 1) – Nationalization of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• 1949 – Creation of the Arecanut Committee.
• 1955 – India joined UNESCO.
• 1956 – Launch of the Project for Intensification of Regional Research on Cotton, Oilseeds, and Millets (PIRRCOM).
• 1957 – Launch of the All India Coordinated Maize Improvement Project.
• 1958 – IARI accorded the status of Deemed University under UGC Act, 1956.
• 1958 – Establishment of the Spices and Cashew Committee.
• 1958 – Submission of the Nalagarh Committee Report (Agricultural Administrative Committee).
• 1958 (Oct 2) – Creation of NAFED (National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation).
• 1960 – Establishment of the first Agricultural University in India (G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar), patterned after the U.S. Land Grant System.
• 1963 – Creation of the National Seed Corporation.
• 1965 (Jan 14) – Establishment of the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
• 1965 – Dr. B. P. Pal became the first Director General (DG) and Vice President of ICAR.
• 1965 – Start of the All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRPs) on crops and other agricultural research areas.
• 1966: Placement of different agricultural research institutes under the purview of ICAR.
• 19 July 1969: Nationalization of 14 major commercial banks.
• 1969: Second Irrigation Commission.
• 1970: National Commission on Agriculture.
• 1971: Launch of All India Coordinated Project for Dryland Agriculture.
• 1972: Establishment of ICRISAT (International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics), Hyderabad.
• 1973: Creation of Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) in the Ministry of Agriculture.
• 1973: Start of Agricultural Research Services (ARS) by Dr. M. S. Swaminathan.
• 1974: Launch of Operational Research Project.
• 1975: Establishment of Regional Rural Bank (RRB) under RRB Act 1976.
• 1975: Establishment of Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB) based on G. Gadkar Committee recommendation.
• 1976: Establishment of National Academy of Agricultural Research and Management (NAARM), Hyderabad.
• 1986: Launch of Technology Mission on Oilseeds (TMO).
• 1986: National Watershed Development Programme for Rainfed Areas.
• 1986: National Agricultural Research Project (Phase-II).
• 1988: Launch of Special Food Production Programme (SFPP).
• 1 Jan 1995: India became a member of World Trade Organization (WTO), Geneva (Switzerland).
• 1996: Establishment of National Gene Bank, New Delhi.
• 1 April 2004: Merger of OPP, OPDP, NPDP, and AMDP schemes into one Centrally Sponsored Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm, and Maize (ISOPOM).
• 2004: Inauguration of National Agricultural Science Complex (NASC), New Delhi.
• 2004: Formulation of Marine Fishing Policy.
• 2004: Formation of National Commission on Farmers (Chairman: Dr. M. S. Swaminathan).
• May 2005: Launch of National Horticulture Mission (NHM).
• July 2006: Launch of National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP) through World Bank.
• 2006–07: Launch of National Bamboo Mission.
• 2006: Establishment of National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA) on 3.11.2006.

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Conclusion

The chronology of modern agriculture in India demonstrates the continuous evolution of institutions, research centers, and policy frameworks. Each milestone contributed to strengthening India’s food security, improving agricultural practices, and addressing the challenges posed by famines, food shortages, and rural poverty. From the establishment of ICAR to the Green Revolution-era projects, these events laid the foundation for India’s self-reliance in agriculture.