Who Is M. S. Swaminathan? Age, Biography and Wiki
M. S. Swaminathan was born on August 7, 1925, and he was a prominent Indian agronomist whose work in agricultural science significantly contributed to India's Green Revolution. He is celebrated for his pioneering research in plant genetics and sustainable agriculture. Swaminathan's efforts not only transformed agricultural practices in India but also influenced global food security. He passed away in 2023, leaving behind a rich legacy centered around innovation in farming and sustainable practices.
| Occupation | Geneticist |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 7, 1925 |
| Age | 98 Years |
| Birth Place | Kumbakonam, Tanjore District, Madras Presidency, British India |
| Horoscope | Leo |
| Country | India |
| Date of death | 28 September, 2023 |
| Died Place | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
Popularity
M. S. Swaminathan's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Although specific details regarding M. S. Swaminathan’s height and weight were not popularly known, as a public figure, he was often described as having a dignified presence. His commitment to health and wellness was evident in his advocacy for nutrition and sustainable agriculture throughout his life.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Swaminathan was married to Mina Swaminathan, with whom he shared a deep partnership throughout his career. Together, they had three children. His dedication to family was evident as he balanced his personal life with his monumental work in agronomy and public policy. Being a man of integrity and honor, Swaminathan's relationship with his wife was characterized by mutual respect and shared goals in improving food security and alleviating poverty.
Swaminathan's collaborative scientific efforts with Norman Borlaug, spearheading a mass movement with farmers and other scientists and backed by public policies, saved India and Pakistan from certain famine-like conditions in the 1960s.
His leadership as director general of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines was instrumental in his being awarded the first World Food Prize in 1987, recognized as one of the highest honours in the field of agriculture. The United Nations Environment Programme has called him "the Father of Economic Ecology".
He was recently conferred the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of the Republic of India, in 2024.
Net Worth and Salary
During his lifetime, M. S. Swaminathan was recognized not only for his scientific contributions but also for his roles in various governmental and charitable organizations. While his exact net worth was not publicly disclosed, he significantly influenced agribusiness in India and was associated with many funded projects, reflecting his stature in the agricultural and academic fields.
Career, Business and Investments
Swaminathan’s career spanned decades, earning him accolades globally for his research and policies in agriculture. He was instrumental in introducing high-yielding varieties of crops that led to increased food production in India, making notable strides in crop enhancement and plant genetics. Swaminathan served as the Director General of the International Rice Research Institute and co-founded the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, which focuses on sustainable agriculture.
His investments in social enterprises and non-profits aimed to promote sustainable farming practices and empower rural farmers, contributing to a significant shift in agricultural paradigms in India and developing nations alike.
Swaminathan contributed basic research related to potato, wheat, and rice, in areas such as cytogenetics, ionizing radiation, and radiosensitivity. He was a president of the Pugwash Conferences and the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
In 1999, he was one of three Indians, along with Gandhi and Tagore, on Time list of the 20 most influential Asian people of the 20th century. Swaminathan received numerous awards and honours, including the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award, the Ramon Magsaysay Award, and the Albert Einstein World Science Award.
Swaminathan chaired the National Commission on Farmers in 2004, which recommended far-reaching ways to improve India's farming system. He was the founder of an eponymous research foundation. He coined the term "Evergreen Revolution" in 1990 to describe his vision of "productivity in perpetuity without associated ecological harm".
He was nominated to the Parliament of India for one term between 2007 and 2013. During his tenure he put forward a bill for the recognition of women farmers in India.
Social Network
M. S. Swaminathan was active in various professional circles. He was a member of numerous prestigious organizations and often engaged with academic institutions, NGOs, and policy-making groups. His commitment to sustainability and agricultural advancements continually kept him in touch with worldwide efforts to combat hunger and promote food security. His legacy remains influential on social media, with various platforms and organizations honoring his work and advocating for the ongoing projects he pioneered.
In 1947 he moved to the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi to study genetics and plant breeding. He obtained a post-graduate degree with high distinction in cytogenetics in 1949. His research focused on the genus Solanum, with specific attention to the potato.
Social pressures resulted in him competing in the examinations for civil services, through which he was selected to the Indian Police Service. At the same time, an opportunity for him arose in the agriculture field in the form of a UNESCO fellowship in genetics in the Netherlands. He chose genetics.
Education
Swaminathan completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Madras, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. He further pursued postgraduate studies in agricultural science at the University of Illinois, earning a Ph.D. His educational background provided him with a robust foundation in plant ecology and genetics, enabling him to develop innovative solutions to agricultural problems throughout his illustrious career.
In conclusion, M. S. Swaminathan's contributions to agriculture and food security have left an indelible mark on society, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations in the quest for sustainable development in farming practices.
Swaminathan was educated at a local high school and later at the Catholic Little Flower High School in Kumbakonam, from which he matriculated at age 15. From childhood, he interacted with farming and farmers; his extended family grew rice, mangoes, and coconut, and later expanded into other areas such as coffee.
He saw the impact that fluctuations in the price of crops had on his family, including the devastation that weather and pests could cause to crops as well as incomes.
