Father of India’s ‘Green Revolution’ MS Swaminathan passed away at the age of 98

MS Swaminathan, the leader behind India’s Green Revolution, died on Thursday at the age of 98 in Chennai. MS Swaminathan, born 7 August 1925 in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India, is a prominent Indian geneticist and international organizer.

He is widely recognized for his instrumental role in leading India’s “Green Revolution”. This initiative included the introduction of high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice seeds into the fields of poor farmers. MS Swaminathan is often hailed as the architect of the Green Revolution in India. He is a prominent Indian agronomist and geneticist who has contributed significantly to the agricultural sector, particularly in increasing food production in India and other developing countries.

He established the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) in 1988, using funds from the first World Food Prize in 1987. Born in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, he gained recognition as the inaugural recipient of the World Food Prize for his pioneering role. In the development and promotion of high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice in India during the 1960s, a critical period when the country faced an increasing threat of widespread famine. Swaminathan worked with late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to formulate agricultural policies.

Read more: Meet MS Swaminathan, Father of Agriculture in India

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MS Swaminathan Awards and Achievements

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Additionally, he served as chairman of several prestigious international conferences including the 1974 United Nations World Food Congress held in Rome.

First Published: 28 Sep 2023, 13:03 IST