MS Swaminathan Named ICRISAT Ambassador; Meets KCR To Discuss State’s Plans

July 14, 2014 6:46 pm

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has named Professor MS Swaminathan, renowned agricultural scientist and Father of India’s Green Revolution as ICRISAT Ambassador of Goodwill.The recognition was conferred by ICRISAT Director General Dr William D Dar in a momentous ceremony held today at the ICRISAT global headquarters in Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

Later, the renowned scientist met CM KCR and discussed on the State Government’s plans to make Telangana a seed bowl. They also discussed plans to link agriculture directly with NREGA for beneficial results.

Earlier in the day, as ICRISAT Ambassador, Prof. Swaminathan agreed to champion the Institute’s mission to make a difference by promoting science-based agricultural solutions in the fight against poverty, hunger, malnutrition and environmental degradation in the dryland tropics of the world.

“Inclusive agriculture is the key to a prosperous, food secure and resilient dryland tropics,” said Prof Swaminathan. “By giving smallholder farmers access to technologies and connecting them to markets, they will have options for a more profitable and resilient agriculture towards achieving sustainable food, nutrition, economic and environmental security,” he continued.

“ICRISAT plays an important role in this through its inclusive market-oriented development strategy, particularly focusing on the need to empower resource-poor farmers in marginalized environments. I am therefore pleased and proud to be an Ambassador of Goodwill for the works and initiatives of ICRISAT.”

Prof. Swaminathan also recognized ICRISAT’s more than four decades of commitment and dedicated service to the most underprivileged sector of the world – the poor in the drylands. He highlighted challenges and opportunities facing the Institute, such as the need for crop biofortification to combat ‘hidden hunger’ caused by micronutrient deficiencies prevailing in the developing world; and science communication to inform, educate and mobilize the public on the importance of scientific innovations in the fight against poverty and hunger, and for decision makers to come up with supportive policies. Prof. Swaminathan is currently Emeritus Chair of the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), and was one of the architects of ICRISAT’s creation in 1972.

The ICRISAT Ambassadors of Goodwill program was launched in May 2013 with the acceptance of Mr Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to become the first Ambassador during his visit to the ICRISAT global headquarters.

Mr Bill Gates has since been joined by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, renowned scientist and 11th President of India; Rt. Hon. James Bolger, former Prime Minister of New Zealand; Dr Akinwumi Adesina, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nigeria; and Dr Nigel Poole, former Chair, ICRISAT Governing Board, as ICRISAT Ambassadors.