Agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan was on Wednesday presented the National Basava Krushi Award 2018 for lifetime achievement and contribution to farmers.
Tamil Nadu Minister for Official Language and Tamil Culture K. Pandiarajan, who paid rich tributes to Dr. Swaminathan, said that generations of Indians were indebted to him for making the country a rice exporter.
“We used to import rice. Now, we export ₹10,000 crore worth rice, which is an unimaginable feat,” he said and added that the agriculture scientist deserved the Nobel Prize.
Basava Jayamruthyunjaya Swamiji of the Karnataka-based Lingayat Panchamasali Mahapeetha, who presented it to Dr. Swaminathan, said that he was the “Farmer’s Gandhi”. He urged the Centre to implement the M.S. Swaminathan Commission report.
Replying to the felicitation, Dr. Swaminathan emphasised that monsoon and the market were the most important factors in farming.
Vijayananda Kashappanavar, MLA, Hunagund, Karnataka; Rajendra Poddar, Agricultural Economist, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka; S.B. Dandin, former Vice-Chancellor, University of Horticulture Sciences, Bagalkote, Karnataka; A.B. Patil, Registrar, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru; and farmer leaders from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh were present.
