The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) expresses its deep grief at the passing away of the renowned scientist who is considered as a pioneer of the Green Revolution in India, at the age of 98, today.
He was the first recipient of the World Food Prize instituted in 1987 in recognition of his instrumental role in developing and promoting high yielding wheat and rice varieties in 1960s. With the prize proceedings, he founded the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation in 1988.
As the Chair of the National Commission on Farmers, he recommended awarding a Minimum Support Price which is equivalent to the comprehensive cost of production+50%. This remains an important demand of the historic farmers struggle, which was promised by the Modi government but not implemented yet.
The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) expresses its deep condolences to the members of his family and a host of admirers.