Swaminathan, the genius who sowed it right

NT Correspondent

Chennai: As I was working on ag riculture, my family wanted me to take over the management of our plantations. But my aim was to master the art of developing new varieties, that is genetics and breeding.

As the proverb has it, we reap what we sow. Consequently, sowing the right things is very important," M S Swaminathan had once said.

The legendary scientist passed away on Thursday in Chennai. Fondly addressed as MS by his friends and colleagues, Monkombu Sambasivan Swaminathan, in his long career demonstrated what he said and ensured bumper crops by working side by side with farmers.

Born in Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu on August 7, 1925, Swaminathan played a significant role in changing the trajectory of the agriculture sector when farmers were dependent on archaic farming techniques.

He belonged to an era when hunger was the order of the day. Swaminathan's research that began as a plant geneticist addressed the issue of food insecurity, helped small farmers increase their income by enhancing productivity.

Eventually, a nation that once depended on American wheat to feed its people, became a foodgrain surplus nation. In 1968, Indian farmers harvested 17 million tonnes of wheat, in contrast to 12 million tonnes that had been the best in a very good monsoon.

The extra five million tonnes was a quantum leap. This became the wheat revolution and then PM Indira Gandhi released a commemorative stamp in July 1968.

G N Hariharan, executive director of M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), said, "Dr Swaminathan used to say that the future belongs to the nation with grains and not guns."