Renowned Agricultural Scientist and Padma Vibhushan Awardee, Dr. Swaminathan, passes away at 98
Chennai: Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, a distinguished figure in the realm of agriculture and recipient of India’s second-highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan, as well as the esteemed World Food Prize, passed away at his Chennai residence. Widely regarded as the “father of the Green Revolution,” his demise has elicited widespread mourning, both domestically and internationally.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a poignant tribute, lauded Dr. Swaminathan’s pivotal contributions during a critical juncture in India’s history. His groundbreaking work in the field of agriculture profoundly transformed the lives of millions and fortified the nation’s food security.
The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) also acknowledged Dr. Swaminathan’s profound impact, marking his passing as the “end of an epoch.”
During his illustrious career, Dr. Swaminathan held the position of Secretary to the Union Department of Agricultural Research from 1972 to 1979. He headed several key state-run agricultural institutions and served as a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from 2007 to 2013. Time magazine recognised his global influence, naming him one of the 20 most influential individuals of the 20th century.
Dr. Swaminathan, in collaboration with Dr. Norman Borlaug, made a pioneering discovery regarding semi-dwarf wheat varieties. They found that, when cultivated under appropriate conditions and with supportive policies, these varieties had the potential to substantially enhance India’s food grain productivity.
Together with the then Agriculture Minister, C. Subramanian, and experts from the Planning Commission, Dr. Swaminathan formulated policies that included subsidies for fertilisers and power, as well as an expansion of irrigation coverage. These measures aimed to promote the cultivation of the wheat variety he had developed for India. The utilisation of British-era water canals in Punjab and Haryana further facilitated this initiative. As a result, in 1968, India’s wheat production surged to 17 million tonnes, a remarkable increase from the previous highest production of 12 million tonnes in 1964. Subsequent plantings led to an exponential rise in the output of this staple crop, marking a historic turning point now known as India’s Green Revolution.
Dr. Swaminathan is survived by three daughters, each of whom has made significant contributions in their respective fields.
Dr. Soumya Swaminathan is a distinguished scientist who holds a prominent position at the World Health Organisation (WHO). Madhura Swaminathan is an accomplished economist known for her expertise in the field. Nitya Rao is an esteemed authority on gender and rural development, recognised for her work in this crucial area.
Born on August 7, 1925, in Kumbakonam, Dr. Swaminathan was the son of M.K. Sambasivan, a renowned surgeon, and Parvati Thangammal. In his later years, he dedicated himself to the causes of sustainable agriculture, the promotion of traditional farming practices, and the advancement of nutrition through the foundation that bears his name, located in Chennai.
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