M. S. Swaminathan

I have frequently pointed out that the future belongs to nations with grains and not guns.

— M. S. Swaminathan

Aberrations in monsoon behaviour are not uncommon, having been with us throughout our agricultural history.

— M. S. Swaminathan

At least five cents in every acre should be reserved for the construction of ponds to store rainwater.

— M. S. Swaminathan

It will be very foolhardy and suicidal for a country like India to forgo food security.

— M. S. Swaminathan

If agriculture goes wrong, nothing else will have a chance to go right.

— M. S. Swaminathan

The air pollution in Delhi has become a matter of public health concern nationally and internationally.

— M. S. Swaminathan

There is talk about the need for a second Green Revolution. However, such a revolution is nowhere in sight.

— M. S. Swaminathan

You want to live in harmony with nature and with each other.

— M. S. Swaminathan

The Climate Risk Managers can be trained in the science and art of managing uncertain rainfall patterns leading to drought or flood.

— M. S. Swaminathan

Farming is the riskiest profession in the world since the fate of the crop is closely linked to the behaviour of the…

— M. S. Swaminathan

Training of farmers in integrated pest management is exceedingly important to protect them during the use of pesticides.

— M. S. Swaminathan

India unfortunately has the unenviable reputation of being the home to the largest number of undernourished children, women and men in the…

— M. S. Swaminathan

Ultimately, multiple livelihood opportunities alone can insulate farmers in rainfed areas from the debt trap.

— M. S. Swaminathan

Rain harvesting should be made mandatory and should be made more systematic to ensure that every drop of rain is preserved.

— M. S. Swaminathan

Farmers in rain-fed, dry areas such as Vidarbha and parts of Andhra Pradesh may own several hectares of land but their farm…

— M. S. Swaminathan

One of India's major blessings is the rich store of experience and knowledge available in the rural and tribal areas.

— M. S. Swaminathan

Rice, wheat and other grains can help to address protein-calorie under-nutrition. But only attention to horticulture, milk and eggs can help to…

— M. S. Swaminathan

Land tenure is key to protecting land rights. The Central and State governments should have accessible systems for registering, tracking and protecting…

— M. S. Swaminathan

In any case, if I grow hybrid maize or hybrid pearl mallet or any hybrid, I have to sow fresh seed every…

— M. S. Swaminathan

I was chairman of the steering committee for agriculture when we set up the target of 4% growth rate. I had written…

— M. S. Swaminathan

When politicians talk of loan waiver, they are accepting that agriculture is not economically viable. They are giving a wrong signal that…

— M. S. Swaminathan

You can classify farmers into two major groups. One who saves seeds for the next crop and the other who purchases seeds…

— M. S. Swaminathan

There is an urgent need for regeneration of fisheries and fostering a sustainable fisheries programme. What I mean is, designing new fishing…

— M. S. Swaminathan

Wireless technology has completely revolutionized information transmission and exchange in India. If you go in the coastal areas, small-scale fishermen who go…

— M. S. Swaminathan

Leadership is something which other people have to recognize. You cannot demand that I am a leader.

— M. S. Swaminathan

In the current scenario of climate change, predictions of extreme weather events are becoming difficult.

— M. S. Swaminathan

Where there is a challenge there has to be a response.

— M. S. Swaminathan

The future of food security will depend on a combination of the ecological prudence of the past and the technological advances of…

— M. S. Swaminathan

Organic farming and other earlier methods can be effective, provided they can help us improve soil health and plant health. Plant pesticides…

— M. S. Swaminathan

In spite of the dominant role played by women in both farming, they are denied credit as they lack land titles. Only…

— M. S. Swaminathan

Most pesticides lose their efficacy after a few years, because of pest resistance to pesticides. This is why companies go on changing…

— M. S. Swaminathan

In India, unlike in the United States and Australia, agriculture is not just a food producing enterprise but also the backbone of…

— M. S. Swaminathan

We have to devise ways to lower the cost of production and reduce the risks involved in agriculture such as pests, pathogens,…

— M. S. Swaminathan

The Green Revolution was criticised by social activists on the ground that the high-yield technology involving the use of mineral fertilizers and…

— M. S. Swaminathan

See, technology can advance yield and productivity, but only public policy can advance the income of farmers. There has to be a…

— M. S. Swaminathan

The loss of land for food security has to be measured not only in quantitative terms but also in respect of land…

— M. S. Swaminathan

The goal of my University education was to get into a medical college and equip myself to run a hospital in Kumbakonam…

— M. S. Swaminathan

Agriculture is the backbone of the livelihood security system of nearly 700 million people in the country and we need to build…

— M. S. Swaminathan

The National Policy for Farmers calls for a paradigm shift from measuring agricultural progress merely in terms of growth rates, to measuring…

— M. S. Swaminathan

The smaller the farm, the greater is the need for marketable surplus, so that the family will have cash income to meet…

— M. S. Swaminathan