Prof MS Swaminathan, a renowned agricultural scientist and the key architect of India’s Green Revolution, passed away at the remarkable age of 98. His life’s work has left an indelible mark on the agricultural landscape of India.
Swaminathan's legacy goes far beyond just increasing grain production. He introduced scientific rigor into Indian agriculture and laid the groundwork for pioneering institutions that revolutionized farming practices.
Throughout his distinguished career, Swaminathan held numerous critical positions, including Director of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and Director General of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines.
In the 1960s, he spearheaded India’s efforts to overcome food shortages by initiating the Green Revolution. This movement focused on developing high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice, resulting in significant increases in agricultural production.
Swaminathan's vision evolved to embrace sustainability and ecology, advocating for an Evergreen Revolution that promotes long-term agricultural progress without compromising environmental health.
In 2004, he was appointed to address the distress faced by farmers. His recommendations, including advocating for higher Minimum Support Prices (MSP), significantly influenced Indian agricultural policy and farmer welfare.
His remarkable contributions to agriculture have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including the World Food Prize, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan, celebrating his impact on food security and nutrition.
Swaminathan was a strong proponent of environmental sustainability, focusing on water resources and ecological balance. He established the MS Swaminathan Foundation to further these ideals.
His persistent advocacy for favorable pricing policies played a crucial role in shaping the cost norms for fixing MSP, ensuring that farmers receive fair returns for their produce.
Swaminathan's contributions continue to influence agricultural research and policy, solidifying his status as a legendary figure in Indian agriculture, whose principles resonate with today’s challenges.
His vision for sustainable agriculture, addressing climate change, and evolving the Green Revolution into an Evergreen Revolution remains profoundly relevant in today’s context.
Q1. What was MS Swaminathan's contribution to agriculture in India?
Answer: MS Swaminathan played a pivotal role in the Green Revolution, significantly increasing food production in India through high-yielding crop varieties and scientific farming techniques.
Q2. What is the Evergreen Revolution?
Answer: The Evergreen Revolution is a concept promoted by Swaminathan, emphasizing sustainable agricultural practices that enhance productivity without harming the environment.
Q3. What awards did MS Swaminathan receive?
Answer: He received several prestigious awards, including the World Food Prize and Padma Vibhushan, recognizing his contributions to food security and agricultural research.
Q4. What was the National Commission on Farmers?
Answer: Established in 2004, the National Commission on Farmers, led by Swaminathan, aimed to address farmer distress and recommend policies to improve their welfare and income.
Q5. How did MS Swaminathan influence MSP policy?
Answer: His persistent advocacy for fair Minimum Support Prices (MSP) helped ensure that farmers receive adequate compensation for their crops, thereby improving their financial security.
Question 1: Who is known as the father of the Green Revolution in India?
A) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
B) Dr. MS Swaminathan
C) Dr. Verghese Kurien
D) Dr. C. Subramaniam
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: What does the Evergreen Revolution aim to achieve?
A) Increased use of chemicals in farming
B) Sustainable agricultural practices
C) Exclusive focus on cash crops
D) Decreased productivity
Correct Answer: B
Question 3: Which award did MS Swaminathan NOT receive?
A) Padma Shri
B) Nobel Prize
C) World Food Prize
D) Padma Vibhushan
Correct Answer: B
Question 4: What was a key recommendation of the National Commission on Farmers?
A) Reduce agricultural subsidies
B) Increase Minimum Support Prices
C) Abolish MSP
D) Promote monoculture farming
Correct Answer: B
Question 5: What is a significant focus of Swaminathan's environmental advocacy?
A) Chemical agriculture
B) Water conservation
C) Urban development
D) Industrial farming
Correct Answer: B
Question 6: What was a major impact of the Green Revolution in India?
A) Decreased food production
B) Increased food security
C) Soil degradation
D) Urban migration
Correct Answer: B
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