NEW DELHI:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and addressed the M.S. Swaminathan Centenary International Conference at the ICAR campus in Pusa, New Delhi, reaffirming the government’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of farmers, sustainable agriculture, and nutritional security. The conference celebrated the legacy of Professor M.S. Swaminathan, known as the architect of India’s Green Revolution.
Describing Dr Swaminathan as “a true gem of Mother India”, the Prime Minister said his contributions had gone beyond food production to inspire a broader vision of sustainability and social equity. “Dr Swaminathan not only led the campaign to make India self-reliant in food production, he also gave the visionary concept of bio-happiness,” the Prime Minister said, referring to Swaminathan’s belief that biodiversity and sustainable practices could transform lives.
The theme of the conference, “Evergreen Revolution: The Pathway to Biohappiness”, focused on addressing challenges such as climate change, sustainable agriculture, nutrition security, and the empowerment of marginalised communities. PM Modi highlighted that the next major task before Indian agricultural scientists is ensuring nutritional security for all, building on the legacy of food security.
He recalled his long association with Dr Swaminathan, citing his own tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister when initiatives like the Soil Health Card were introduced with Swaminathan’s guidance. “Every interaction with Dr Swaminathan was a learning experience. He taught us that science is not just about discovery but delivery,” he noted.
The M.S. Swaminathan Award for Food and Peace, an international honor that will honor people from developing countries for their contributions to equity, climate justice, and food security, was introduced by the prime minister. Nigerian scientist Professor Adenle received the first prize, and PM Modi commended him for exemplifying Swaminathan's vision.
Reiterating his government’s pro-farmer agenda, Modi said, “India will never compromise on the interests of its farmers.” He underlined various initiatives including PM-KISAN, PM Fasal Bima Yojana, e-NAM, and the newly launched PM Dhan Dhanya Yojana, aimed at transforming the rural economy and boosting farmers’ incomes. “The strength of our farmers is the foundation of the nation’s progress,” he said.
The prime minister emphasised how critical it is to create crops that can withstand climate change, use fewer chemicals in farming, and embrace precision and natural farming methods. In order to support real time decision making, he called for a deeper integration of AI, satellite data, and machine learning in farming systems.
“India’s farming communities possess a rich repository of traditional knowledge. By combining this with modern science, we can create a holistic knowledge base,” he said, calling on agricultural experts to promote crop diversification and empower women farmers.
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Dr. Ramesh Chand, a member of NITI Aayog, and Dr. Swaminathan's daughter, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, were also present at the conference. The multi day event seeks to influence future policies based on the principles of innovation, sustainability, and equity that Dr. Swaminathan advocated.
