What is M S Swaminathan Award?

About M S Swaminathan Award

• It was instituted in 2004 with the objective to recognize the lifetime contributions of eminent persons who have made great impacts and outstanding contributions to agricultural research and development and to the overall food security and sustainability of agriculture, with special reference to India.
• It is named after the doyen of Indian Agriculture, Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, Chairman, M.S Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai.
• It is a biennial award constituted by the Retired Indian Council of Agricultural Research Employees Association (RICAREA) and Nuziveedu Seeds Limited (NSL).
• The award carries a Cash prize of Rs.2 lakhs (Rupees Two Lakhs only), a Medal, and a Citation.
• The award is open to all, irrespective of his/her nationality.

Who was M S Swaminathan?

• Dr. Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan, often referred to as Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, is a renowned Indian agricultural scientist and geneticist.
• Green Revolution in India:
  • He is often referred to as the "Father of the Green Revolution in India.
  • His research and work in crop breeding, particularly for wheat and rice, led to the development of high-yielding varieties that significantly increased agricultural productivity
  • This Green Revolution helped India overcome food shortages and played a crucial role in the country's agricultural transformation.
• In recognition of his outstanding contributions, he was awarded the first World Food Prize, the Ramon Magsaysay Award and many other national and international honors.

Q1) What is the Green Revolution?

The Green Revolution refers to a series of agricultural advancements and innovations that took place in the mid-20th century, primarily between the 1940s and the 1970s. These innovations aimed to significantly increase agricultural productivity and food production worldwide, particularly in developing countries. The term "Green Revolution" was coined by William Gaud, an agricultural scientist, in 1968.

Source: ARS principal scientist Dr. P V Satyanarayana Honoured with Dr. MS Swaminathan Award