The Wizard of Indian Agriculture: Dr. M.S. Swaminathan

In Memoriam: The Legacy of India's Agricultural Visionary

Yesterday, India mourned the loss of a true luminary, a man whose contributions to the nation's agricultural landscape were nothing short of transformative. Dr. Monkombu Sambasivan Swaminathan, fondly known as the "Father of the Indian Green Revolution," passed away, leaving behind a legacy that every Indian owes a debt of gratitude to.

History and Inspiration

As we reflect on the life and accomplishments of this remarkable individual, it's essential to delve into his journey and what inspired him to become the driving force behind a revolution that forever changed Indian agriculture. Dr. Swaminathan was destined to follow in his father's footsteps into the medical profession. However, in 1942, as Mahatma Gandhi rallied the nation with the clarion call of "Angrezo, Bharat Chhodo!" (Quit India), a man-made famine was ravaging Bengal, claiming the lives of millions of Indians. This catastrophe, caused by the British diversion of grains meant for the poor to their own troops, shook Dr. Swaminathan to his core. Driven by a burning question – "What can I do for an independent India?" – Dr. Swaminathan turned his back on his father's profession and embarked on a path to study agriculture. This decision led him to study genetics, taking him to esteemed colleges and laboratories around the world, ultimately making him the harbinger of the Green Revolution.

From IPS to the Green Revolution: A Remarkable Journey

It's worth noting that in his early twenties, Swaminathan was offered a lucrative position in the Indian Police Service (IPS), a career that promised prestige and power. However, he declined this alluring path to pursue a life dedicated to research and development. Little did he know that this decision would not only transform his own life but also revolutionize Indian agriculture in countless ways.

The Green Revolution Unveiled

But what exactly was the Green Revolution that Dr. Swaminathan championed? In simple terms, it was a transformation that brought industrialization to agriculture, powered by high-yielding varieties (HYV) of seeds, groundbreaking irrigation practices, and the mechanization of farming with tractors.

Yet, before delving further, we must understand why India was once reliant on substandard wheat from the United States under the PL-480 program. Why couldn't India, with its vast land, produce enough rice and wheat for its people?

The answer lies in the characteristics of traditional Indian wheat and rice, which were tall but slender. This led to low yields as the crops would often fall flat on the ground. Dr. Swaminathan's first solution was to reduce plant height, a challenge that initially proved infeasible.

A Visionary's Global Outreach

Undeterred, Dr. Swaminathan reached out to fellow researchers worldwide, leading him to a momentous conversation with none other than Norman Borlaug, renowned for his work in Mexico. The introduction of dwarf wheat varieties in India marked the beginning of the wheat revolution, propelling India from producing 6 million tons of wheat in 1947 to a staggering 17 million tons in 1968.

Dr. Swaminathan's Vision

However, Dr. Swaminathan was not merely a scientist; he was a visionary. He prevented this "Green Revolution" from becoming the "Greed Revolution." He foresaw the potential downsides of the Green Revolution:

1. Intensive Cultivation: The excessive cultivation of land with insufficient soil conservation measures could lead to the emergence of deserts.
2. Pesticide Usage: The indiscriminate use of pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides was inevitable.
3. Groundwater Depletion: Unscientific tapping of underground water resources could have dire consequences.
4. Loss of Biodiversity: The replacement of diverse local crop varieties with a limited number of HYV strains posed a risk.

Swaminathan and the Delhi-based Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), where he served as director, played a pivotal role in disseminating Green Revolution technologies throughout the nation. This initiative transformed food shortage and dependence on food imports a story of the past within a decade and a half. Not only did rice and wheat sustain food security for India's rapidly growing population since the late 1960s, but they also became strong pillars of growth in Indian agriculture. Swaminathan guided this development first as director of IARI and later as director-general of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Subsequently, he served as a member of the Planning Commission, steering policies for science and agriculture across the country.

Swaminathan as a True Nationalist

Dr. M.S. Swaminathan's influence extended far beyond the laboratory. He played a pivotal role in shaping Indian agricultural policy, emphasizing sustainability, gender equality in agriculture, health, and nutrition for marginalized farming communities. His dedication to farmers' welfare was unwavering, leading him to advocate for favorable price policies and higher minimum support prices (MSP) for crops.

In 2004, he was appointed chairman of the National Commission on Agriculture, further solidifying his status as a legend in agricultural research and development. As the agricultural sector grapples with challenges related to sustainability, climate change, resilience, and food safety, Dr. Swaminathan's vision remains a guiding light, transforming the Green Revolution into an Evergreen Revolution.

Awards and Recognitions

Dr. M.S. Swaminathan's contributions to agriculture and humanitarian efforts extended far beyond the borders of India, earning him recognition and prestigious awards from around the world. His remarkable achievements on the global stage illuminated his impact on humanity: -

Mendel Memorial Medal (1965), Ramon Magsaysay Award (1971), Albert Einstein World Science Award (1986), World Food Prize (1987), Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement (1991), Four Freedoms Award (2000), Planet and Humanity Medal of the International Geographical Union (2000), Order of the Golden Heart of the Philippines, Order of Agricultural Merit of France, Order of the Golden Ark of Netherlands, Royal Order of Sahametrei of Cambodia, Award for International Co-operation on Environment and Development (China), Artwork in the 'Dr. Norman E. Borlaug Hall of Laureates, Recognition by IRRI.

In addition to global recognition, Swaminathan received numerous national awards in India, including the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award in 1961, the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan awards, the H K Firodia award, the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award, and the Indira Gandhi Prize. In India, an agricultural think-tank established an annual award in his honor, known as the 'Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Award for Leadership in Agriculture.'

Today, as the agriculture sector faces challenges related to sustainability, climate change, resilience, and food safety, Dr. M.S. Swaminathan's vision remains a beacon of guidance. He spent over half a century shaping agricultural thought in India, leaving an indelible mark as an exceptional agricultural scientist, visionary, science leader, institution builder, and unwavering advocate for farmers' welfare.

India, and indeed the world, mourns the loss of a true wizard of agriculture. Dr. M.S. Swaminathan's legacy is a testament to the power of one individual's dedication and vision to transform a nation's destiny, one seed at a time.