Monkombu Sambasivan Swaminathan, the esteemed scientist who played a pivotal role in ushering India from a state of agricultural deficiency to self-sufficiency in foodgrain production, passed away today. He was 90 years old.
Dr. Swaminathan’s life was marked by unwavering dedication to agricultural research and development. His relentless pursuit of scientific innovation transformed India’s agricultural landscape, ensuring the nation’s food security for generations to come.
Born on August 7, 1925, Dr. Swaminathan’s illustrious career spanned over six decades. Even in his twilight years, he remained an active advocate for advancements in agricultural science, evident in his final lecture on “65 years of Adventure in Agricultural Research & Development.”
During the early years of India’s independence, the country grappled with a severe foodgrain shortage. Wheat and rice production barely exceeded 10-12 million tonnes and 35-36 million tonnes, respectively, necessitating significant grain imports exceeding 10 million tonnes in 1966-67.
Dr. Swaminathan’s groundbreaking work, however, changed the trajectory of Indian agriculture. His visionary approach to the Green Revolution laid the foundation for introducing new genetic strains responsive to increased fertilizer and water application. The result was a significant increase in domestic wheat and rice production, reaching approximately 95.85 million tonnes and 106.65 million tonnes, respectively, in 2013-14.
While the names of those who actively bred or selected the high-yielding wheat and rice varieties may be less recognized, Dr. Swaminathan’s strategic vision provided the impetus for the Green Revolution. His focus on developing semi-dwarf wheat varieties, which were less prone to lodging (falling flat on the ground), set the stage for enhanced fertilization response.
In 1954, while stationed at the Central Rice Research Institute in Cuttack, Dr. Swaminathan embarked on a groundbreaking journey. Armed with knowledge gained from his studies at Cambridge University and the University of Wisconsin, he worked tirelessly to transfer genes from the ‘Japonica’ rice varieties, known for their non-lodging and fertilizer responsiveness, to the indigenous ‘Indica’ races.
His pioneering approach extended to wheat after he joined the Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi later that year. Dr. Swaminathan’s innovative use of mutagenesis, exposing plants to chemicals or radiation to induce desirable DNA modifications, aimed to reduce plant height and prevent lodging. Although the initial attempts encountered challenges, his unwavering commitment to scientific progress ultimately bore fruit.
The passing of Monkombu Sambasivan Swaminathan marks the end of an era in Indian agricultural science. His remarkable contributions, dedication, and tireless efforts will forever be remembered as the driving force behind India’s transformation from a ‘basket case’ to achieving foodgrain self-sufficiency.
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