Father of Green Revolution Borlaug dies at 95

Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug,father of the Green Revolution, has died.

Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug,father of the Green Revolution, who developed high-yielding and disease-resistant wheat that nearly doubled India’s wheat output and prevented famine in the developing world has died.

95-year-old Borlaug died yesterday from cancer complications in Dallas,Texas,a spokeswoman for Texas A&M University said.

A 1970 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his contributions to world peace through increasing food supply,Borlaug was a distinguished professor of international agriculture at the university.

During the mid-20th century,the Iowa-born scientist led the introduction of these high-yielding varieties combined with modern agricultural production techniques to India,Pakistan and Mexico.

As a result,Mexico became a net exporter of wheat by 1963.

Between 1965 and 1970,wheat yields nearly doubled in Pakistan and India,greatly improving the food security.

He was also a recipient of the Padma Vibhushan,India’s second-highest civilian honour. His farming techniques helped achieve self-sufficiency in cereal grains in India.

Story continues below this ad

Until recently,he traveled worldwide working for improvements in agricultural science and food policy,said Kathleen Phillips,a university spokeswoman.