Death anniversary special: Made the country self-reliant in the field of agriculture, father of green revolution has received many awards like Bharat Ratna, Ramon Maxey

Obnews Desk : Born on August 7, 1925 in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, M.S. Swaminathan's life was highly influenced by the beliefs of Mahatma Gandhi and India's freedom struggle. Full name was Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan. His initial dream was to pursue a career in medicine, but the severe Bengal famine of 1942–43 changed the course of his life. This tragedy affected him on a deep level and he resolved to strengthen India's agricultural industry, so that the country would never face a food crisis again. This resolution became the guiding principle of his entire life.

Career and contributions

M.S. Swaminathan served as the Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), leaving his mark in the field of agricultural research and education. Along with this, he also played leading roles on international platforms. His most notable contribution was in bringing about the Green Revolution in India, which not only revived Indian agriculture but also led it towards self-reliance. Under Swaminathan's leadership, high-yielding wheat and rice varieties, especially semi-dwarf varieties, were developed. This revolutionary step proved to be a game changer for Indian agriculture during the 1960s and 70s. These varieties increased the production significantly, due to which India could become self-sufficient in food production and the crisis of famine ended.

swaminathan report

Swaminathan's vision was not limited to scientific research alone, he was also deeply committed to the welfare of farmers. He advocated fair prices for agricultural products and sustainable farming practices. His 'Swaminathan Report' assessed the problems of the agricultural sector and recommended the Minimum Support Price i.e. MSP, according to which the MSP should be at least 50% more than the cost of production. Even today, this recommendation remains one of the primary demands of agricultural unions in India.

Other major contributions

Swaminathan played a key role in the development of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Act, 2001. He recognized the Kuttanad region of Kerala as a globally important agricultural heritage site with the 'Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere' and 'Traditional Paddy Cultivation Below Sea Level'. He also made important contributions to the conservation of biodiversity and ecology of these areas. In 1988 he received M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture and rural development. MSSRF focuses particularly on tribal and rural communities and adopts a pro-poor, pro-women and pro-nature approach.

Awards and Honors

M.S. Swaminathan was honored with many national and international awards for his unprecedented contribution. He was awarded the first World Food Prize in 1987. In addition, he was also awarded the Padma Shri (1967), Padma Bhushan (1972) and Padma Vibhushan (1989). He also received prestigious international honors such as the Ramon Magsaysay Award (1971) and the Albert Einstein World Science Award (1986).

M.S. Swaminathan's life and work are milestones in the history of Indian agriculture. His thinking, research and leadership not only brought the country out of the food crisis but also gave a new direction to the agriculture sector. He was a true friend of farmers and a great leader of Indian agriculture. M.S. Swaminathan left this world on 28 September 2023 at the age of 98.

Also read – Jayanti Special: The woman revolutionary who first hoisted the Indian…