Washington: Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug,
father of the "Green Revolution," who developed high-yielding
and disease-resistant wheat that nearly doubled India`s wheat
output and prevented famine in the developing world has died.
95-year-old Borlaug died yesterday from cancer
complications in Dallas, Texas, a spokeswoman for Texas A&M
University said.
A 1970 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition
of his contributions to world peace through increasing food
supply, Borlaug was a distinguished professor of international
agriculture at the university.
During the mid-20th century, the Iowa-born scientist led
the introduction of these high-yielding varieties combined
with modern agricultural production techniques to India,
Pakistan and Mexico. As a result, Mexico became a net exporter
of wheat by 1963.
Between 1965 and 1970, wheat yields nearly doubled in
Pakistan and India, greatly improving the food security.
He was also a recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, India`s
second-highest civilian honour. His farming techniques helped
achieve self-sufficiency in cereal grains in India.
Until recently, he traveled worldwide working for
improvements in agricultural science and food policy, said
Kathleen Phillips, a university spokeswoman.
Borlaug was known as a champion of high-yield crop
varieties, and other science and agricultural innovations to
help fight hunger in developing nations.
"We all eat at least three times a day in privileged
nations, and yet we take food for granted," Borlaug said
recently in an interview posted on the university`s Web site.
"There has been great progress, and food is more
equitably distributed. But hunger is a commonplace, and famine
appears all too often."
He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in
1977, and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2006, the highest
civilian honor of the United States.
The agriculture institute at the university was named
after him in 2006.
Borlaug also created the World Food Prize, which
recognised the work of scientists and humanitarians who have
helped fight world hunger through advanced agriculture, the
university said.
A memorial service will be held at the university at a
later date.
Pawar condoles death of Borlaug
Agriculture Minister Sharad
Pawar today condoled the death of eminent farm scientist
and Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug, widely known as the Father
of the Green Revolution.
In his condolence message, Pawar said Borlaugh would be
remembered for his contribution to the increase in food
supply.
Borlaugh, who died yesterday in Dallas, Texas, is
credited with what he himself described as "a temporary
success in man’s war against hunger and deprivation".
The farm scientist promoted the use of high-yielding
crop varieties to fight hunger in the developing world.
As India moves towards the second Green Revolution,
Pawar said, Borlaugh`s enduring vision will be a source of
inspiration for all.
Bureau Report
