Write down the achievements of five year plan.

Achievements of five year plans:
1. Agriculture : Top priority was given to the development of agriculture in the first five year plan. New technology of farming was adopted. Due to green revolution, India became self-sufficient in food grains. India became exporter instead of importer of food-grains. We are now not at the mercy of America or any other nation for meeting our nation's food requirements. There was a market surplus of wheat and rice. The green revolution enabled the government to procure sufficient amount of food-grains to build a stock which could be used in the times of shortage. The government provided loan at a low interest rate to small farmers and subsidised fertilizers so that small farmers could also have access to the needed inputs.

2. Industry : The highest priority was given to heavy and basic industries. Industry was modernised. More stress was also given on cottage and small scale industries. The progress in iron and steel, transport, communication etc. was satisfactory. The achievements of India's industrial sector during the first seven year plans are impressive indeed. The proportion of GDP contributed by the industrial sector increased in the period from 13 percent in 1950-51 to 24.6 percent on 1990-1991. The rise in the industry's share of GDP is an important indicator of development.

3. Increase in foreign trade : There was increase in the volume of trade. It was not now confined to Britain only from the beginning of the planning era. India adopted an inward looking development strategy also known as import substitution strategy of industrial development.

4. Increase in life expectancy : Life expectancy was 32 year in 1951. It increased to 58.2 in 1991. The birth rate and death rate also declined.