How MS Swaminathan’s twin revolutions transformed agriculture in India

A file photo of MS Swaminathan (centre), who passed away on September 28, briefing the media. (Photo: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare via Wikimedia Commons)

In the years following India’s independence, from 1947 to 1960, the country faced a growing population and a looming famine. Food availability was insufficient, only 417 gram per day per person. Many farmers were in debt and landless. The political situation also had a negative impact, leading to a severe shortage of food and commercial crops.

At the time, agronomist Norman Borlaug had developed new seeds for cultivation that were stocky, disease-resistant, fast growing, and highly responsive to fertilisers. So, in the 1960s, under the guidance of geneticist Dr MS Swaminathan, the Green Revolution was launched in India. “It helped to increase food production in India significantly. By the 1970s, poverty and malnutrition rates also began to decline,” says Rajesh Khare, an independent agronomist.

Green wave

The Green Revolution was a period of rapid agricultural growth in the world. It was characterised by a number of factors, including the development and adoption of high-yielding varieties of seeds, increased use of fertilisers and pesticides, improved irrigation facilities, and improved farm implements and crop protection measures.

The changes ensured that the production of cereal crops tripled with only a 30 percent increase in the land area cultivated. There were significant impacts on poverty reduction and food prices. Studies have shown that without the Green Revolution, caloric availability would have declined by around 11-13 percent. Under the visionary leadership of Swaminathan, India specifically moved from a ship-to-mouth system to self-sufficiency.

But while the Green Revolution brought abundant food supplies to the world, and India, it’s Swaminathan’s contributions to sustainable agriculture that are more significant, far-reaching and relevant in today’s world. He advocated the need for farming practices that protect biodiversity, conserve natural resources, and mitigate climate change.

“Swaminathan’s vision for sustainable agriculture was based on three principles: agriculture must be based on a deep understanding of the underlying science, including plant physiology, ecology, and soil health. It must be inclusive, and benefit all members of society, including smallholder farmers, women, and marginalised groups. And it requires strong institutions to support farmers, promote research and development, and protect the environment,” says Dr Veena Kumar, a senior agriculture specialist based in Tamil Nadu.

To this end, he promoted the use of organic farming practices, such as crop rotation and integrated pest management. These practices help to improve soil health and reduce the need for chemical fertilisers and pesticides. He also advocated for policies that support sustainable agriculture, such as subsidies for organic fertilisers and training programs for farmers on sustainable agricultural practices. And, helped constitute institutions that promote sustainable and equitable agriculture, such as the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation and the National Commission on Farmers.

Looking ahead

In 2017, about 50 years after the Green Revolution in India, Swaminathan called for an “Evergreen Revolution”, which he defined as “productivity improvement in perpetuity without ecological and social harm”.

It was not without reason. While the Green Revolution had increased crop production in India, it also had, over the years, a number of negative environmental impacts including increased use of pesticides, pest attacks, water stress, air pollution, soil nutrient depletion, and the extinction of indigenous crop varieties. “It is these deficiencies that can be remedied through the ‘evergreen revolution’ pathway developed by me over 30 years ago,” he said at the time.

The Evergreen Revolution, a term coined by Swaminathan, focuses on nutritional and food security, and aims to bring agriculture, health, and nutrition together and work on them as one unit. Under it, there is emphasis on pulses to reduce malnutrition, encouragement of traditional crops suited to regional soil and climate, reliance on ecological and scientific principles to enhance productivity, and on anticipatory and participatory research to address climate change.

“The idea is to produce more from less land, pesticides, fertilisers, and water, introduce innovative information and communication technologies to farmers that would give them predictions and alerts on weather conditions, appropriate periods of sowing, and production prices, and promote climate-resilient farming,” says Vijay Karnik, who runs a cooperative society for farmers in Maharashtra.

Its end goal is to create a more diversified and resilient agricultural system that improves productivity and food security without harming the environment or society. “It is essential for addressing the challenges of the 21st century, including climate change, population growth, and resource scarcity. Swaminathan’s work has inspired and guided millions of people around the world who are working to create a more sustainable and equitable food system. And his forward-thinking approach and vision will continue to inspire contemporary efforts aimed at protecting our planet and fostering a prosperous future,” says Khare.