Norman Borlaug

Norman Ernest Borlaug (born 25 March 1914) is an American agricultural scientist, humanitarian, Nobel laureate, and the father of the Green Revolution. Borlaug received his Ph.D. in plant pathology and genetics from the University of Minnesota in 1942. He took up an agricultural research position in Mexico, where he developed semi-dwarf high-yield, disease-resistant wheat varieties.

Related Topics:
25 March - 1914 - American - Agricultural scientist - Humanitarian - Nobel laureate - Green Revolution - Ph.D. - Plant pathology - Genetics - University of Minnesota - 1942 - Mexico - High-yield - Disease - Wheat - Varieties

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During the mid-20th century, Borlaug led the introduction of his grain and modern agricultural production techniques to Mexico, Pakistan, and India. As a result, Mexico became a net exporter of wheat by 1963. Between 1965 and 1970, wheat yields nearly doubled in Pakistan and India, greatly improving the food security in those nations. These collective increases in yield have been labeled the Green Revolution, and Borlaug is often credited with saving over a billion people from starvation.{{fn|1}} He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 in recognition of his contributions to world peace through increasing food supply.

Related Topics:
20th century - Grain - Pakistan - India - 1963 - 1965 - 1970 - Food security - Starvation - Nobel Peace Prize - World peace

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More recently, he has helped apply these methods of increasing food production to Asia and Africa. Borlaug has continually advocated the use of his methods and biotechnology to decrease world famine; although his work has faced environmental and socioeconomic criticisms, he has emphatically rejected most of these as unfounded or untrue. In 1986, he established the World Food Prize to recognize individuals who have improved the quality, quantity or availability of food around the globe.

Related Topics:
Asia - Africa - Biotechnology - Famine - Socioeconomic - 1986 - World Food Prize

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