M.S. Swaminathan

M.S. Swaminathan (born August 7, 1925, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India—died September 28, 2023, Chennai, Tamil Nadu) was an Indian geneticist and agricultural scientist who spearheaded India’s agricultural transformation. Known as the “father of the green revolution” in India, he collaborated with American scientist Norman Borlaug in the 1960s to introduce high-yielding varieties of wheat in India. His efforts did not just boost yields—they also lifted many farmers out of poverty and ushered in modern farming. He firmly believed that India’s prosperity was rooted in its farmlands and farmers.

Early life and career

Growing up on his family’s farm in the 1930s, Swaminathan witnessed firsthand the struggles of farmers, who were trapped in a cycle of poor crop yields, unsustainable debt, and extreme poverty. The Bengal famine of 1943, which claimed millions of lives, instilled in him an urgency to tackle India’s food crisis. Consequently he pursued a career in agricultural science, much to the disappointment of his family, who wanted him to become a surgeon. His academic journey, which spanned more than a decade (1944–54), reflected his mission. He received multiple degrees, including a doctorate and postdoctorate, in genetics and plant breeding. Swaminathan was awarded a fellowship from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1949 to research ways to make potato crops more resistant to frost and pests.

In 1954 Swaminathan started working at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, where much of his research focused on increasing rice and wheat production through the extensive use of fertilizers. At the time India was in the throes of a severe food crisis, reliant on food aid and imports to feed its growing population. He learned of Borlaug’s success in boosting corn and wheat production in Mexico during the 1950s. Borlaug’s introduction of semidwarf wheat varieties and their usage throughout Mexico transformed the import-dependent country into a self-sufficient wheat producer, laying the foundation for a global agricultural movement called the green revolution.

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Green revolution in India

In the early 1960s Swaminathan collaborated with Borlaug to develop wheat seed varieties suited to India’s environment. After receiving a batch of Mexican wheat varieties from Borlaug, he conducted experiments to test their viability. They proved to be high-yielding and disease-resistant. He then embarked on a quest to persuade farmers, particularly in the states of Punjab and Haryana, to adopt the Mexican varieties. These states had the ideal climatic conditions for wheat cultivation in India. In 1966 he persuaded the Indian government to procure 18,000 tons of these high-yielding seeds, marking the birth of India’s green revolution.

The results were staggering. Farmers who used the Mexican wheat varieties saw their yields and profits soar. India’s wheat production surged from 12 million tons in 1964 to 20 million tons in 1970. A year later the Indian government declared the country self-sufficient in grain production. Modern agricultural practices—such as the use of fertilizers and pesticides, advanced irrigation techniques, and the mechanization of farming—became widespread. Swaminathan’s success in increasing wheat production paved the way for advancements in rice cultivation. He played a key role in developing several new varieties of rice that transformed India’s rice production.

Evergreen revolution

Although the green revolution was a game changer, it introduced new challenges. The excessive use of fertilizers, pesticides, and large-scale irrigation had a negative impact by contributing to global warming, pollution, deforestation, groundwater depletion, and biodiversity loss. Acknowledging the challenges posed by the green revolution, Swaminathan proposed an “evergreen revolution”—a sustainable approach that seeks to strike a balance between agricultural productivity and ecological harmony. It advocates organic farming, soil conservation, water management, and eco-friendly biotechnology to ensure long-term food security without depleting natural resources.

Legacy

Swaminathan’s contributions helped countless farmers escape poverty and shielded millions from starvation. He was a lifelong champion of farmers’ rights and a crusader against hunger. He founded the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) in 1988 to conduct agricultural research and development. The MSSRF describes itself as a “pro-poor, pro-women, and pro-nature” organization that uses science and technology for agricultural and rural development. He died at age 98 on September 28, 2023, at his home in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, of age-related illnesses. In a tribute to Swaminathan released to the media, IARI director Ashok K. Singh remarked:

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If God appears to the poor and hungry in the form of bread, as Mahatma Gandhi said, then that God is Dr Swaminathan, who should be revered by every citizen while partaking in their daily meals.

Swaminathan received numerous national and international awards and recognitions.