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M. S. Swaminathan
Helping transform India’s food production through the Green Revolution.
Crop genetics · World Food Prize
- Born
- 7 August 1925
- Birthplace
- Kumbakonam, India
- Died
- 28 September 2023
More people
M. S. Swaminathan
M. S. Swaminathan was an Indian geneticist and agricultural leader. Working with Norman Borlaug, Indian scientists and farmers, he helped adapt high-yielding crops for India. His later work connected food security with environmental protection and farmers’ livelihoods.
Early life
Kumbakonam childhood
Grew up in a family familiar with both medicine and farming.
A turn to agriculture
The Bengal famine of 1943 helped shape his decision to study agriculture rather than medicine.
Career
- 1954
Crop research in India
Joined the Central Rice Research Institute before moving to the Indian Agricultural Research Institute.
- 1966–1972
Leading IARI
Directed the Indian Agricultural Research Institute during the Green Revolution.
- 1972–1979
National agricultural leadership
Served as director-general of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
- 1982–1988
International rice research
Led the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines.
Contributions
High-yielding crops
Helped test and introduce wheat varieties suited to Indian farming.
First World Food Prize
Recognised for his contribution to agricultural development and food security.
Farmers’ commission
Chaired the National Commission on Farmers, examining livelihoods and agricultural policy.
Beyond the lab
Research foundation
Established the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation in 1988.
An evergreen revolution
Advocated higher agricultural productivity without lasting damage to ecosystems.
Sources & photo credit
Biography ↗World Food Prize biography ↗World Food Prize tribute ↗Photo: Biswarup Ganguly. CC BY 3.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
