The "Father" of India's Green Revolution Passes Away

In the 1960s, when India barely survived on direct imports, young scientist Swaminathan turned down important positions in academia and government to study agriculture. He bred wheat seeds that helped India triple its annual production in just 15 years.

The Green Revolution came about when hybrid seeds helped Indian farmers bypass the potential ecological damage caused by heavy fertilizer use, the lowering of water tables due to irrigation, and the impact of repeated crop cycles on soil quality. His advocacy of sustainable farming methods has made him a world leader in the field of sustainable food security.

Back in 2008, when Dr Swaminathan was 82, he told Reuters that conservation farming and green technology were crucial for a sustainable “Green Revolution” of the 21st century that could propel India to become a larger food supplier to the world.

Notably, as the Chairman of the National Commission on Farmers, Dr. Swaminathan played a key role in addressing the farmers’ woes. The commission’s recommendations included setting a minimum selling price at least 50% higher than the average cost of the produce and alleviating the challenges faced by farmers.

Dr. Swaminathan has also been involved in various initiatives like focusing on nutrition, internet access in rural India etc. He has also been instrumental in establishing several agricultural institutes in China, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Iran and Cambodia.

The Chennai-based MS Swaminathan Research Foundation posted an article on its Facebook account in November 2021 emphasizing Professor Swaminathan's role in ensuring Vietnam's food security after the Vietnam War. According to the article, Professor Swaminathan played a role in establishing the Cuu Long Rice Research Institute (CLRRI), the Southern Crop Research Institute (SOFRI), making Vietnam a major rice exporter as it is today.

His notable contributions earned him several prestigious awards, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1971 and the first World Food Prize in 1987. He was also honored with the Padma Shri in 1967, the Padma Bhushan in 1972, and the Padma Vibhushan in 1989.

In 2013, NDTV honored him with the Greatest Global Living Legend Award. At the time, he said, “The future belongs to nations with grains, not guns. Achieving food security and giving Indians a legal right to food is not easy.”

Dr. Swaminathan's influence has transcended borders and he was recognized by Time magazine as one of the 20 most influential Asians of the 20th century.

On the passing away of the revered scientist, President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined lawmakers, scientists and people across the country in expressing condolences.

In a post on social media, President Murmu stated: “He (Swaminathan) has left behind a rich legacy of Indian agricultural science, which can serve as a guiding light to lead the world towards a safer and hunger-free future for humanity.”