M.S. Swaminathan (Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan) was an Indian geneticist and agricultural scientist, widely known as the "Father of the Green Revolution in India". Born on August 7, 1925, he spearheaded India's agricultural transformation during the mid-1960s. The problem he solved was India's severe food crisis, which had led to a "ship-to-mouth" existence, relying on food aid and imports.
His work involved collaborating with American scientist Norman Borlaug to introduce and further develop high-yielding varieties (HYVs) of wheat and rice, which were suited to India's environment. This mechanism involved providing HYV seeds, along with adequate irrigation and fertilizers, primarily to farmers in regions like Punjab and Haryana. This landmark work on enhancing productivity and production of staple food grains transformed India from a food-deficit nation into a self-sufficient one.
A key concept connected to him is the National Commission on Farmers (NCF), which he chaired after its formation in 2004. The NCF submitted five reports between 2004 and 2006, commonly known as the Swaminathan Report, which focused on addressing the agrarian crisis and farmer distress. The most famous provision of the NCF reports is the recommendation that the Minimum Support Price (MSP) should be at least 50% more than the weighted average cost of production (C2 + 50%). Furthermore, acknowledging the environmental impact of the Green Revolution, he coined the term "Evergreen Revolution" in 1990, advocating for a sustainable approach that balances productivity with ecological harmony. He also founded the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) in 1988 to promote sustainable agricultural and rural development.