Sanghnomics: The Bharat Ratna honour to the late agriculture scientist is also a tribute to his opposition to introduction of GM crops in India. It might have come as a surprise to many but the fact is that Swaminathan, and the RSS-inspired organisations Swadeshi Jagaran Manch and Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, were on the same page on the issue of GM crops
Reacting to the government's decision to honour MS Swaminathan with the Bharat Ratna, Dr. Sowmya Swaminathan expressed gratitude, but admitted that her father would have been happy had he received the honour during his lifetime.
M.S. Swaminathan, 'Father of the Green Revolution', died at 98 on September 28, 2023. His work transformed Indian farming in the 1960s-'70s.
The Father of the Green Revolution, who passed away on September 28, improved the lives of millions in India and around the world.
MS Swaminathan’s contributions spanned many walks of life but India will remember him most for his pioneering role in the Green Revolution that changed agriculture as Indian farmers knew it and ushered in self-sufficiency in foodgrain production
Today, the Green Revolution is frequently criticised for worsening the level of underground water, deterioration of the quality of soil, excessive use of fertilisers and chemical pesticides and polluting the water. Swaminathan was aware of the dangers of monoculture and the need to conserve soil fertility. He spoke against the indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides
He is credited as being the mastermind of India's green revolution and was instrumental in the introduction and advancement of high-yielding wheat and rice crops
MS Swaminathan played a crucial role in the development of India's agricultural industry during the 20th century and was much respected for his wide ranging contribution in the field of agricultural sciences.
The Padma awardee took great efforts in recognising the role of women in the Indian agricultural sector, and rolled out several initiatives, including the Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana, to empower women in the country.
According to MS Swaminathan, economic and ecological factors have led to the current farm crisis and there is a serious need to prepare for unfavourable monsoons going ahead.
In an interview to CNBC-TV18, MS Swaminathan, Founder and Chairman, MS Swaminathan Research Foundation spoke about the Food Security Bill.
“The government has only two options to check food inflation – one is to import wherever you can get and the other is to opt for responsible hoarding,” says MS Swaminathan in an exclusive interview with CNBC-TV18. He also says that the second green revolution misses out on being a mass movement, unlike the first.