Context:– When India attained independence, the agriculture sector was in a poor state. M.S. Swaminathan did pivotal role in steering India’s agricultural evolution, particularly through the Green Revolution, has earned him recognition as a transformative figure in global agriculture. The Green Revolution, or the Third Agricultural Revolution, was a period of technology transfer initiatives that saw greatly increased crop yields.

Indian Agriculture Landscape:

• India stands as a prominent player in the global agriculture domain, sustaining approximately 55% of its population’s livelihood.
• With various agricultural superlatives, such as the largest cattle herd, significant wheat, rice, and cotton cultivation, and global leadership in milk, pulses, and spices production, India ranks among the top agricultural producers globally.

Contribution of M.S. Swaminathan in Indian Agriculture:

The Green Revolution:

• Dr. M. S. Swaminathan played a pivotal role in initiating India’s Green Revolution, revolutionizing agriculture through modernization and technological advancements.
• This period, commencing in the 1960s, witnessed the adoption of modern agricultural techniques like high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds, mechanization, irrigation, pesticides, and fertilizers.

Introduction of Mexican Wheat Varieties:

• Swaminathan advocated for the implementation of Norman Borlaug’s semi-dwarf wheat varieties from Mexico in India. Moreover, these variants, responding well to high fertilizer doses, showed substantial yield potential.
• He proposed nationwide demonstrations of these varieties in Indian farmers’ fields, especially among smallholders, during the 1964-65 rabi season.

Mitigating Drought Impact:

• In the face of consecutive droughts in 1965-66 and 1966-67, India faced foodgrain production decline. Swaminathan advocated for importing 18,250 tonnes of the Mexican wheat varieties’ seeds.
• The widespread adoption of these seeds led to a significant increase in foodgrain output, with wheat production nearly doubling between 1966-67 and 1970-71.

Visionary Perspective and Legacy:

• M.S. Swaminathan foresaw the risks linked to mono-cropping and unsustainable underground water usage, highlighting the threat of pathogen and pest attacks and rapid depletion of essential water resources.
• His leadership at the International Rice Research Institute earned him global recognition, being honored with the inaugural World Food Prize in 1987 and accolades from the United Nations Environment Programme.
• He chaired the National Commission on Farmers in 2004, presenting comprehensive recommendations to elevate India’s agricultural system.

His Unfinished Agenda: Evergreen Revolution

In recent years, M. S. Swaminathan’s unwavering dedication centered on addressing challenges within Indian agriculture, primarily due to reduced public investment. This included concerns about food accessibility, nutrition security, and climate change.

His vision for an “Evergreen Revolution” aimed to enhance productivity without harming the environment.

To achieve this, he emphasized the necessity of :

• Augmenting productivity and profitability in rainfed regions
• Improving soil health
• Facilitating access to institutional credit and crop insurance
• Ensuring water availability
• Implementing fair pricing mechanisms
• Revitalizing research and extension services
• Elevating farmers’ income

These aspirations represented Swaminathan’s unfulfilled agenda.

Moreover M.S. Swaminathan’s contributions not only transformed Indian agriculture but also earned him esteemed recognition globally. Thus marking his legacy as an influential and visionary architect of agricultural progress.

Read More: Industrial Revolution (1750-1900)