Press Release

Houston, TX
October 6, 2009

Government of India institutes “Norman Borlaug Chair in Agricultural Biotechnology for Crop Improvement” at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Pusa, New Delhi

To commemorate Dr. Borlaug’s invaluable role in the creation of India’s Green Revolution, Government of India has decided to institute a “Norman Borlaug Chair in Agricultural Biotechnology for Crop Improvement” at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Pusa, New Delhi. The setting up of this Chair is aimed at promoting and developing a center of excellence in basic research in agricultural biotechnology for crop improvement. The Department of Agriculture Research and Education will be the nodal Department for this purpose. The Distinguished Chair would be in the rank of Vice Chancellor.

This announcement was made by Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, Member of Parliament and former Chairman, National Commission on Farmers, in his eulogy at the Public Memorial Service honouring the life of Dr. Norman E. Borlaug at Texas A&M University (TAMU) in College Station on October 6, 2009. Dr. Swaminathan is an internationally renowned agriculture scientist who has been in the forefront of India’s Green Revolution. His close associations with Dr. Borlaug and his family date back to 1953.

Dr. Borlaug was conferred the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian award in 2006.