Lessons from M.S. Swaminathan for Viksit Bharat

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Context:

The centenary year of M.S. Swaminathan’s birth and the release of his biography “M.S. Swaminathan: The Man who Fed India” highlight his role in India’s Green Revolution and the contemporary lessons for scientific development.

Foundations of the Green Revolution

Collaboration in Science: Scientific advances are not isolated achievements but the result of cross-fertilisation of ideas and international collaboration, as seen when Swaminathan connected with Norman Borlaug to introduce Mexican wheat varieties.
Bureaucratic Hurdles: The invitation to Borlaug was delayed for two years due to bureaucratic procedures, showing how administrative red tape can obstruct timely scientific progress.
Support from Leadership: Political support from leaders like Lal Bahadur Shastri and C. Subramaniam was crucial in securing funds and enabling large-scale trials for new wheat varieties.

Political-Scientific Interface

Direct Access for Scientists: Swaminathan stressed that politicians must hear scientists directly instead of relying solely on generalist bureaucrats to communicate technical issues.
Technically Skilled Ministers: Leaders with scientific or technical backgrounds, such as C. Subramaniam, were able to make informed decisions in favour of agricultural reforms.
Managing Conflicting Opinions: The introduction of new seeds faced opposition from the Finance Ministry, Planning Commission, and political groups, but strong leadership resolved differences and ensured timely adoption.

Contemporary Relevance

Need for Research Investment: India spends only 0.43% of agricultural GDP on R&D, half of China’s investment, which explains why Indian agricultural institutions lag globally.
Institutional Autonomy: Improving governance and merit-based recruitment in research institutions is essential for scientific excellence and global competitiveness.
Sustainability Concerns: Excessive water and fertilizer use during the Green Revolution led to environmental degradation, underlining the need for eco-friendly innovations in the face of climate change.

Practice Question:

“Discuss the relevance of M.S. Swaminathan’s lessons from the Green Revolution in addressing the challenges of agricultural productivity, research governance, and sustainability in contemporary India.” (250 words)

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