The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) expresses its deep grief at the passing away of the renowned scientist who is considered as a pioneer of the Green Revolution in India, at the age of 98 on Thursday.

He was the first recipient of the World Food Prize instituted in 1987 in recognition of his instrumental role in developing and promoting high yielding wheat and rice varieties in the 1960s. With the prize proceedings, he founded the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation in 1988.

As the Chair of the National Commission on Farmers, he recommended awarding a Minimum Support Price (MSP) which is equivalent to the comprehensive cost of production+50%. This remains an important demand of the historic farmers struggle, which was promised by the Modi government but not implemented yet.

The Polit Bureau of CPI(M) expresses its deep condolences to the members of his family and a host of admirers.

Former Tripura Chief Minister and CPI(M) polit bureau member Manik Sakar in his condolence message that ‘deeply saddened to know the demise of outstanding Agricultural Scientist of the era, Mr. M. S. Swaminathan passes away. I pay my heartfelt high respect to his great memory. I share my profound grief to the members of the bereaved family.”

Sarkar said that Mr. M. S. Swaminathan in response to the request of the then state government had visited Tripura more than once during the time of the Left Front government. He visited different areas of the state, talked to the farmers, discussed with agricultural scientists of Tripura and provided highly valued advice to achieve self-sufficiency in production of food grain in Tripura. The people who have been involved in agricultural activities in Tripura cannot forget the memories of Mr. M. S. Swaminathan, said Sarkar in his message.