FROM "SHIP TO MOUTH" TO "SHIP TO THE WORLD"

September 28 is a significant date in history, marked by the demise of Rao Tularam Singh, one of the leaders of the Indian rebellion of 1857 against British rule in India.

- Dr M S SWAMINATHAN

Now, September 28, 2023, will also be etched in memory as a day of profound loss, with the passing of Dr MS Swaminathan, one of the legendary fighters for the cause of farmers. It is a somber day for Indian agriculture as it bid farewell to Dr Swaminathan, its most beloved son, who passed away in Chennai at the age of 98.

In a tribute to Dr. Swaminathan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, fittingly described him as a “Farmers’ Scientist”. Another stalwart of Indian agriculture, Dr. RS Paroda, paid his respects in an obituary by highlighting Dr.Swaminathan’s pivotal role in leading the green revolution that paved the way for India’s self-sufficiency in grain production during the 1960s, after years of heavy dependence on grain imports. As Dr Swaminathan’s influence extended far beyond India, touching the lives of farmers worldwide, a wave of condolences has been pouring in from across the globe.

Much like Dr. Verghese Kurien’s transformative impact on the dairy industry with the white revolution, Dr Swaminathan was the chief architect of India’s green revolution. In the 1960s, when India imported a substantial 10.5 million tonnes of food grains from the USA under Public Law (PL 480) to alleviate food shortages, few could have predicted the remarkable turnaround that would unfold in the history of Indian agriculture. In recent times, India achieved record-breaking wheat production of 110 million tonnes, more than double of what the USA produces. India’s wheat yield, at 3.32 tonnes per hectare, outshines many nations, including the USA, which stands at 3.30 tonnes per hectare.