Reviving Swaminathan's Legacy: Balancing Fertiliser Use and Green Revolution Innovations

In a recent event, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor raised concerns about the overuse of fertilisers, suggesting that trimming subsidies remains politically difficult. His comments came during the launch of Priyambada Jayakumar's book on the pivotal agricultural scientist, Prof M S Swaminathan.

Tharoor praised Swaminathan's comprehensive outlook on economic development, emphasizing that it wasn't just about advanced wheat varieties but also employment and rural empowerment. He noted the political complications drawn from his experience chairing a parliamentary committee on fertilisers, indicating significant resistance to subsidy cuts.

While some like DMK's Kanimozhi Karunanidhi proposed actionable solutions to reform subsidy structures, Tharoor noted prevalent rejections due to political fears. Swaminathan's global influence was highlighted as a catalyst for food security, while his advocacy for nuclear disarmament underscored his broader humanitarian vision.

(With inputs from agencies.)