GS1/GS3 Paper
Syllabus: Post-Independent India, Agriculture
Context: Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan (MS Swaminathan) (1925 to 2023) who passed away recently, played a crucial role in heralding the Green Revolution that helped India combat food insecurity
Timeline of Dr M S Swaminathan’s life:
| Year | Milestones |
| 1925 | Born in Kumbakonam, Madras Presidency |
| 1940s | Pursued higher education in zoology and agriculture |
| 1947-1949 | Joined Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) |
| 1954 | Collaborated with Dr Norman Borlaug on wheat |
| 1979-1982 | Appointed director-general of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) |
| 1982 | Became Director General of the International Rice Research Institute |
| 1987 | Awarded the first World Food Prize |
| 1988 | Established M S Swaminathan Research Foundation |
| 2002 | Elected President of Pugwash Conferences |
| 2004 | Chair of the National Commission on Farmers |
| 2007-2013 | Served in Rajya Sabha, introduced Women Farmers’ Bill |
Key contributions of M S Swaminathan:
| Aspects | Contributions |
| Led India out of ‘Hunger Trap’ | Played a major role in introducing the Green Revolution in India, significantly increasing food production and ensuring food security. |
| Research on Crops | Enhanced crop productivity: Conducted research on transferring genes for fertilizer response from Japonica varieties to Indica varieties, enhancing crop productivity. |
| Dwarf variety of Wheat: Collaborated with Norman Borlaug to develop high-yielding dwarf wheat varieties suitable for Indian conditions. | |
| Developing high-yielding Basmati rice varieties, innovative use of mutation technology for various crops | |
| Raised awareness about the importance of sustainable agriculture, genetics, and breeding in improving crop varieties. | |
| Launched programs like “lab to land” | |
| Fair Minimum Support for Farmers | Served as the head of the National Commission on Farmers and recommended fair minimum support prices for farmers’ crops. |
| Focus on nutrition, biofortification, funding for agriculture, precision farming, and promoting women in agriculture | |
| Leadership | His leadership at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) led to advancements in rice cultivation, including C4 carbon fixation capabilities and high-yielding Basmati rice |
| Swaminathan is hailed as a true visionary and pioneer in agriculture and sustainable development |
Contributions to Kuttanad and Kerala’s biodiversity:
- Kuttanad Package: The over ₹1,800-crore Kuttanad Package, recommended by the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), recommended declaring the wetland system a ‘Special Agricultural Zone,‘ protecting water spread areas, modernizing infrastructure, and encouraging short-duration paddy varieties.
- Biodiversity Conservation: The MSSRF’s 2008 report on the Idukki District (the Idukki Package) and the establishment of the ‘Community Agrobiodiversity Centre’ in Wayanad reflected his commitment to biodiversity conservation.
- He advocated public awareness, community participation, and economic incentives for in situ and on-farm conservation traditions.
Key scientific terms associated with Dr M S Swaminathan’s research and the Green Revolution
| Term | Description |
| Green Revolution | A period of rapid, scientific agricultural advancement in the mid-1960s that involved growing high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties of crops, primarily in Punjab, India. Dr. Swaminathan played a key role in this movement. |
| High-Yielding Varieties of Crops (HYVs) | These crops produce a higher yield per hectare compared to traditional variants. They are often disease-resistant and have increased tolerance to conditions like drought. Examples include IR8 rice and Kalyan Sona wheat. |
| Yield Gap | The difference between the potential maximum yield of a crop and the actual realized yield for a given area. Addressing this gap was a focus of the Green Revolution to increase productivity. |
| Cytogenetics | The study of chromosomes and their relation to hereditary characteristics and traits, including identifying traits like disease resistance and drought tolerance in crops. |
| Hexaploid Wheat | Scientifically known as Triticum aestivum, it contains six sets of chromosomes and is widely cultivated. Dr. Swaminathan conducted research on the cytogenetics of hexaploid wheat. |
| Carbon Fixation | The process by which crops capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it into organic compounds through photosynthesis. It’s important for plant growth and productivity. |
| C3 and C4 Photosynthetic Pathways | Two different pathways for carbon fixation. C3 (Calvin cycle) is slower and occurs when leaf pores are open. C4 is more efficient and occurs in both mesophyll and bundle sheath cells. Research on C4 rice was conducted during Dr Swaminathan’s tenure. |
Conclusion:
His passing marks the end of an era of disruptive innovation in agricultural research, education, and extension, and he is regarded as a figure worthy of admiration and respect by all citizens, particularly those who benefit from his contributions to food security and agriculture.
Insta Links:
Delhi To Introduce MSP based on Swaminathan Commission Report
Mains Links:
How has India benefited from the contributions of Sir M Visvesvaraya and Dr M S Swaminathan in the fields of water engineering and agricultural science respectively? (UPSC 2019)
