Since independence, India adopted planned economic development through Five-Year Plans with agriculture and rural development placed at the core, as the majority of the population depended on rural livelihoods. The First Five-Year Plan (1951–56) focused primarily on agriculture, irrigation, and community development to address food shortages and stabilize the economy after Partition. Major emphasis was laid on increasing food grain production through expansion of irrigation projects, land reforms, and the Community Development Programme, which aimed at integrated rural development through local participation. The Second Five-Year Plan (1956–61) shifted attention towards industrialization but continued to support agriculture by strengthening irrigation, fertilizer use, and institutional credit. It recognized that agricultural growth was essential to provide raw materials, food, and markets for industrial development. Rural development efforts during this period also included cooperative institutions and village-level planning. The Third Five-Year Plan (1961–66) aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in food grains and expanding rural employment. However, it was adversely affected by wars and droughts. This period marked the beginning of intensive agricultural development programmes and greater focus on high-yielding varieties, which later shaped the Green Revolution. The Fourth Five-Year Plan (1969–74) emphasized