From Green to Evergreen Revolution

Indian Agriculture - Performance and Challenges

M S Swaminathan

Indian agriculture is at cross-roads. At one end, is the problem of ecologically unsound public policies which have led to deep ecological distress. On the other, despite large number of nutrition safety net programmes introduced by Central and state governments, India still remains the home for the largest number of malnourished children and adults in the world. The need of the hour is to convert the green revolution into an ‘evergreen revolution’ by mainstreaming the principles of ecology in technology development and dissemination. India also urgently needs to focus on developing a sustainable and equitable food security system.

Authored by Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, a world scientist of rare distinction and a living legend, this book stresses on considering the problem of food production holistically. Evergreen revolution along with small farm management revolution are hence the most important ingredients for hunger-free India movement. Swaminathan’s consistent point has been, “rather than predicting the future, it is our job to shape it.”

“This wonderful collection of essays, both a tour d’ horizon and tour de force, describes in multifaceted ways the key components of an ecologically sound, evergreen revolution…. Swaminathan’s wisdom is not readily summarized, so my best advice is to read carefully, and savour and ponder these essays!”
— From the Foreword by Jeffrey D. Sachs

A world scientist of rare distinction and a living legend Professor M.S. Swaminathan obtained his Ph.D. in Agriculture from University of Cambridge. He has had a distinguished research, teaching, and administrative career at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI); Director General of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR); Secretary Agriculture, Government of India; Director General, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Currently, he is Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Member National Advisory Council, Government of India, and Chairman, M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai (Madras). He was formerly President, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi and Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs.

He was Chairman of the UN Science Advisory Committee set up in 1980 to take follow-up action on the Vienna Plan of Action. He has also served as Independent Chairman of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) Council and President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).

Recipient of numerous national and international awards (including the first World Food Prize in 1987), sixty honorary doctorate degrees from around the world, author of over three hundred research papers and several books, the Time magazine ranked Professor Swaminathan among the twenty most influential Asians of the 20th century.