Evergreen Revolution & Biohappiness: MS Swaminathan’s Legacy in Transforming India’s Agriculture

In keeping with Prof. Swaminathan’s lifelong commitment to food security, the conference’s subject is “Evergreen Revolution, The Pathway to Biohappiness.”

Regarding MS Swaminathan (1925–2023)

UNESCO Gandhi Gold Medal in 1999, UNEP Sasakawa Environment Prize in 1994, Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1971, and First World Food Prize (1987).

• Posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2024.
• The founder of the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), the director general of the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines, the chair of the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development, and a member of the Planning Commission from 1980 to 1982.

Important Things MS Swaminathan Has Contributed

Produced robust, high-yield rice strains by crossing hardier japonica cultivars with delicate indica rice and creating frost-resistant potato hybrids.

• In 1963, he and Norman Borlaug started a breeding experiment that produced wheat with dwarfing genes, resulting in stronger, shorter plants with higher yields.
• Founder of India’s Green Revolution (Started in the 1960s): centered on using contemporary methods and advanced breeding to increase food production.
• Crop Cafeteria Concept: A variety of crop types were cultivated together to provide better nutrition and a balanced diet.

About the Evergreen Revolution

MS Swaminathan defined it as a concept that increases productivity indefinitely without causing ecological harm.

Important Elements

The advancement of green agriculture, which includes integrated natural resource management, integrated pest management, and integrated nutrient supply. Village Knowledge Centers (knowledge on crops, animal husbandry, etc.) that is peculiar to a given time and place.Sustainable management of natural resources and livelihoods both on and off the farm is known as biovillages.Pay attention to gender, social, and economic fairness.

• In order to maximize productivity and food quality, the new method permits midseason modifications in crop selection and planting in place of a set crop schedule.
• Chaired the National Commission on Farmers and presented the Swaminathan report, which focused on methods to improve India’s farming systems’ sustainability, profitability, and productivity.

Mains: 

Question: The recommendations of the National Commission on Farmers, chaired by M.S. Swaminathan, remain critical to India’s agricultural reforms. Analyse the reasons for the gap between policy formulation and implementation.

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MCQs:

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Question: With reference to the concept of “Evergreen Revolution” proposed by Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, consider the following statements:

1. It aims to increase agricultural productivity in perpetuity without causing ecological harm.
2. It emphasizes the promotion of both organic and green agriculture.
3. It completely rejects the use of modern scientific techniques in farming.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b) 

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