‘Father of Green Revolution still relevant’

Norman Borlaug was awarded the Nobel peace prize in 1970 in recognition of his contributions to food security.


Our Correspondent April 24, 2014
Norman Borlaug was awarded the Nobel peace prize in 1970 in recognition of his contributions to food security. PHOTO: FILE

FAISALABAD:


Food security can be ensured by adopting the approaches advocated by Norman Borlaug, father of the green revolution, University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Iqrar Ahmad Khan said on Wednesday.


He was addressing the seminar On-farm Water Management arranged by the Water Management Research Centre held in connection with a tribute to Borlaug on his 100th birth anniversary.

The vice chancellor said Borlaug had developed semi-dwarf, high-yield, disease resistant wheat varieties. In the mid-20th century, he introduced these high-production varieties to Mexico, Pakistan, and India. He said it was through this intervention that Mexico became a wheat exporting country by 1963. Between 1965 and 1970, wheat yields nearly doubled in Pakistan and India. Norman Borlaug was awarded the Nobel peace prize in 1970 in recognition of his contributions to food security.

Dr Jose Chavez from the Carolina State University, said irrigation computer models were on the decline in the USA. He said people were now leaning towards traditional irrigation methods.

WMRC Director Allah Buksh said water scarcity was a major concern for the country. He said tangible steps were needed to address the issue at a national level.

He said a modern irrigation model was necessary. He said that UAF had developed a bed plantation technology which saves water by 50 per cent.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 24th, 2014.

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