Nation to Honour M.S. Swaminathan with Global Conference on Evergreen Revolution

To commemorate the birth centenary of Professor M.S. Swaminathan, the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), is organizing the M.S. Swaminathan Centenary International Conference from 7th to 9th August 2025 in New Delhi.

Themed “Evergreen Revolution – The Pathway to Bio happiness,” the event celebrates the life and legacy of a man often hailed as the Father of India’s Green Revolution, whose vision and scientific leadership made India self-reliant in food production and inspired generations of agricultural scientists.

A National Tribute: Commemorative Coin and Stamp to be Released

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the conference and release a commemorative coin and postal stamp in honour of Prof. Swaminathan. These symbols will serve as a national tribute to his enduring contributions to food security, agricultural sustainability, and rural development.

Prof. M.S. Swaminathan: Architect of India's Food Security

Prof. Swaminathan’s work during the 1960s and 1970s helped usher in the Green Revolution, pulling India from the brink of famine to become a food-surplus nation. His approach combined high-yielding crop varieties, technology dissemination, institutional support, and policy reforms—all tailored to Indian conditions.

At a press briefing ahead of the conference, Dr. M.L. Jat, Secretary (DARE) & Director General of ICAR, said:

“Prof. Swaminathan was a brave son of India whose revolutionary leadership in agriculture reshaped the country's green landscape. This conference is a step forward in taking his vision to the next level—through innovation, inclusion, and resilience.”

Global Participation to Frame the Future of Agriculture

The conference will serve as a global platform for scientists, policymakers, farmers’ representatives, development professionals, and civil society organizations to collectively chart the future roadmap for sustainable and equitable agriculture.

Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Chair of MSSRF and a global health expert, highlighted the international relevance of the event:

“This centenary is not only about honouring a leader but also about shaping a new global discourse on sustainable agriculture and food systems. Prof. Swaminathan’s vision of Bio happiness must become the cornerstone of our future.”

Key Themes of the Conference

The event will feature plenary sessions, technical panels, poster presentations, and grassroots showcases, exploring a wide array of critical themes including:

1. Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity and Natural Resources

• Reviving traditional ecological knowledge

• Promoting agro-biodiversity and sustainable land management

2. Climate-Resilient and Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture

• Building resilience in agriculture to combat climate volatility

• Linking farming with nutrition and public health outcomes

3. Inclusive and Technology-Driven Livelihood Solutions

• Leveraging digital tools and AI for smallholder farmers

• Ensuring technology access for remote and marginalized communities

4. Youth, Women, and Community Engagement in Development

• Empowering rural youth as agri-entrepreneurs

• Recognizing women farmers as key change-makers in the value chain

‘Evergreen Revolution’ and the Concept of ‘Bio happiness’

Unlike the original Green Revolution that was input-intensive, the Evergreen Revolution conceptualized by Prof. Swaminathan is about ecologically sustainable, economically viable, and socially inclusive agriculture. The focus is not just on output but on well-being, equity, and environmental balance.

The conference emphasizes “Bio happiness”, a term coined by Prof. Swaminathan to describe a state where communities derive joy and fulfillment through sustainable interactions with biodiversity and the environment—a model where science serves both people and the planet.

Voices from India’s Agricultural Community

Dr. C. Viswanathan, Joint Director (Research) at ICAR-IARI, praised Swaminathan’s contribution to India’s food resilience, while Dr. Ashok Singh, Secretary of NAAS, described him as a "god to the hungry" for his role in preventing mass starvation during the food crises of the 1960s.

The event will also host farmers, grassroots innovators, and rural women leaders whose lives have been transformed through MSSRF’s development initiatives based on Swaminathan’s models of participatory research and local empowerment.

Looking Ahead: India’s Leadership in Sustainable Agriculture

India’s agricultural sector today stands at the cusp of a transformation, driven by climate change, digitization, global food insecurity, and the changing aspirations of rural youth. The Swaminathan Centenary Conference aims to shape a new agricultural paradigm rooted in resilience, equity, and sustainability—aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the G20 agenda, and India’s own Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

As the world faces a complex set of food, climate, and equity challenges, the legacy of Prof. M.S. Swaminathan remains more relevant than ever. The centenary conference is not just a celebration of the past but a launchpad for the future of sustainable agriculture, grounded in the principles of science, compassion, and community.

The seeds of change he planted continue to grow, nurturing a generation committed to a world free of hunger, rich in biodiversity, and guided by the joy of Bio happiness.