Renowned agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan, often referred to as the father of the green revolution in India, has passed away at the age of 98 in Chennai. He was known for his pioneering work in developing high-yielding wheat and rice varieties in India during the 1960s, which helped avert widespread famine in the country.
Swaminathan received the First World Food Prize in 1987 and used the proceeds to establish the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) in 1988, a not-for-profit trust dedicated to agricultural research and development.
Born in Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur district, Swaminathan played a significant role in shaping agricultural policies in India and worked closely with late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He also chaired prestigious international conferences, including the 1974 United Nations World Food Congress in Rome.
His daughter, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, served as the chief scientist at the World Health Organization (WHO) from 2019 to 2022 and took over as chairperson of the MSSRF in January.
MS Swaminathan’s contributions to Indian agriculture and food security have left a lasting impact, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of scientists and researchers.
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