Late agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan believed that science must serve the poorest, protect the planet, and empower the most vulnerable — especially smallholder farmers and rural women, Tamil Nadu Minister for Finance, Environment and Climate Change Thangam Thennarasu said on Thurday.

In his speech at the M.S. Swaminathan Centenary International Conference in New Delhi on Thursday, Mr. Thennarasu quoted from Kambar’s Earezhubathu and said that spirit defined Dr. Swaminathan’s legacy and the mission of this conference — realising an evergreen revolution.

“His [Dr. Swaminathan’s] advocacy for farmers’ rights, his role in shaping India’s legislation for the protection of plant varieties,  and his work in community gene and seed banks to ensure food security shows how deeply he understood the relationship between science and society,” he said.

Quoting Dr. Swaminathan as saying “For every problem, there is a solution — there is nothing that cannot be achieved, provided you work for it, the minister said: “This philosophy continues to guide us in Tamil Nadu.” The Minister also recalled the long association of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and Dr. Swaminathan. “Under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Tamil Nadu continues to walk the path shown by Dr. Swaminathan — towards a climate-resilient, nutrition-secure, and farmer-friendly future,” Mr. Thennarasu said. 

The Minister also pointed out that the Agriculture College and Research Institute in Thanjavur has been named as Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Agricultural College and Research Institute in honour of the scientist.