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Throughout the 1960s and 1970s there occurred a “Green Revolution” in which scientists, through selective plant breeding, developed highyielding varieties of key food crops, especially wheat, rice, and corn. Relying substantially on these varieties, India for several years in the 1970s was able to feed its population of almost 1 billion, and still have grain left over for export.

Indian President Pratibha Patil said a “second green revolution was need of the hour” in view of the global food crisis. She said that agriculture should be taken up with the same passion and drive as at the time of the green revolution in the 1960s.

Growing world economies, rising food demand and expansion of corn for producing bio-fuels has caused food inflation.

Indian Finance Minister P. Chidambaram blamed countries like the US for diverting food grains such as corn for producing bio-fuels, which led for to soaring food grain prices globally.

India banned exports of Edible Oils and even raised rice export prices to control rising prices.

He said the price food grain prices has soared worldwide to record levels in the last year, but diverting food for fuel had also contributed to increase in food prices.

“It has been estimated that nearly 20 % of corn grown in the United States is diverted for producing biofuels, As citizens of one world, we ought to be concerned about the foolishness of growing food and converting it into fuel,” Finance Minister P Chidambaram said in Singapore.