M S Swaminathan: The Master Farm Scientist Who Built India into a Brimming Breadbasket

M S Swaminathan: The Master Farm Scientist Who Built India into a Brimming Breadbasket

Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan, affectionately known as ‘MS’, will be posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna for his remarkable role in transforming India’s agriculture sector. He pioneered the green revolution, which made India self-sufficient in foodgrains and reduced its dependency on American wheat imports. Swaminathan, a passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture, believed in the ‘evergreen revolution’ to ensure food and nutrition security for all, while also promoting the sustainability of global food systems. His pioneering research as a plant geneticist focused on addressing food insecurity and helping small farmers increase their income through enhanced productivity. Swaminathan’s dedication to improving agriculture and the lives of farmers earned him numerous accolades, including 84 honorary doctorate degrees from universities worldwide. He founded the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), a non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating the use of modern science for sustainable agricultural and rural development. Through his various official roles, including Chairman of the National Commission on Farmers, Swaminathan played a vital role in shaping agricultural policies in India. His contribution to developing high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice during the 1960s, when India faced the threat of widespread famine, earned him the prestigious World Food Prize. Swaminathan’s legacy continues to inspire and guide India’s agricultural sector towards sustainable and inclusive growth.

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TIS Staff

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