New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated and addressed the M.S. Swaminathan Centenary International Conference at ICAR PUSA in New Delhi. Paying tribute to the renowned agricultural scientist, the Prime Minister described Dr. Swaminathan as a visionary who transformed science into a medium for public service and led the movement to make India self-reliant in food production.
The conference, themed “Evergreen Revolution, The Pathway to Biohappiness,” reflects Dr. Swaminathan’s lifelong dedication to food security and sustainable development.
Key Highlights from the Prime Minister’s Address:
Tribute to a Visionary: PM Modi praised Dr. Swaminathan’s contributions, including the concepts of the “Evergreen Revolution” and “biohappiness,” which guided India’s agricultural policies. He also noted that Dr. Swaminathan was posthumously conferred the Bharat Ratna during his government’s tenure.
Focus on Farmers: The Prime Minister affirmed that the welfare of farmers is the nation’s highest priority and that India will never compromise on their interests. He highlighted various government initiatives, such as the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi and PM Fasal Bima Yojana, which have empowered farmers.
From Food to Nutritional Security: PM Modi stated that while the previous generation of scientists ensured food security, the next frontier is nutritional security. He called for a large-scale promotion of bio-fortified and nutrition-rich crops, a reduction in the use of chemicals, and a greater emphasis on natural farming.
First M.S. Swaminathan Award for Food and Peace: The Prime Minister presented the inaugural M.S. Swaminathan Award for Food and Peace to Professor Adenle of Nigeria, recognizing his significant contributions to food security in developing countries.
Connecting Lab to Land: PM Modi commended the “Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan,” a recent campaign where scientists directly engaged with over 1.25 crore farmers across the country to bridge the gap between agricultural research and on-ground implementation.
