After targeting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Donald Trump has now threatened ground attacks on Mexico's drug cartels. Previously, he threatened India with higher tariffs. However, history shows India's unwavering stance against American intimidation. In 1965, amidst dependency on U.S. wheat, India encountered such threats. But with support from an American scientist, the Green Revolution began with seeds from Mexico, showcasing India's resilient response.
Having endured the Bengal famine in 1943 and economic strains post-1962 war with China, India was at a breaking point around 1964-65 due to a looming famine caused by weak monsoons. During this challenging time, bound by the U.S.'s PL-480 agreement, India had to rely on substandard wheat. Amidst the India-Pakistan conflict in 1965, President Johnson threatened a wheat supply halt, to which India's Prime Minister Shastri defiantly said, 'Go ahead.'
Why the Food Crisis?
Though wheat farming wasn't new to India, in 1950 the cultivated area was limited to 9.75 million hectares, yielding only 6.46 million metric tons—insufficient for the populace. The wheat varieties then had long stalks, suited only for rain-fed regions. Thus, dwarf varieties capable of thriving on irrigation and resistant to lodging were imperative for production boost. Indeed, India had been strategizing its exit from the food crisis.
Source: aajtak
Source: aajtak
Source: aajtak
Source: aajtak
Source: aajtak
The Genetic Journey of Wheat
Mexico developed wheat varieties like Lerma Rojo, Sonora-64, and Sonora-64-A, leveraging the dwarfing genes from Nori-10, a variety whose germplasm journeyed from Korea to the U.S. Under the CIMMYT improvement program in Mexico, and aided by agronomist Dr. Norman Borlaug, these were introduced to India. Borlaug is celebrated as the father of the Green Revolution for this contribution, earning the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize for averting famine through these innovations.
Mexican Wheat's Contribution
Institutions like IARI, Punjab Agriculture University, and Pant Nagar University in India trialed these dwarf varieties from Mexico at various locations, leading to the development of India's own dwarf variety, 'Kalyan Sona,' and another, 'Sonalika,' around 1966.
The ensuing boost in wheat production saw India progress from 12 million tons in 1965 to 17 million tons by 1968. From then on, India's path of agricultural self-sufficiency never reversed. Today, with over 500 varieties, India stands as the world's second-largest wheat producer.
How Dwarf Varieties Emerged?
Noted as India's Green Revolution architect, Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, shared the engaging tale of Mexico's wheat seeds in an article. After WWII, American scientists investigated Japan's agricultural discoveries. Impressed by small-statured, hardy wheat varieties developed in Japan, these were brought to Washington State University. Dr. Borlaug sourced these seeds, embedding dwarf genes in Mexican programs, giving rise to strains suited for India's climate.
Indira's Call for Revolution
In 1963, Borlaug's visit to India triggered trials, and by 1964, the agricultural sector supported the expansion of high-yield varieties. India's yield milestones culminated in a record output of 17 million tons by 1968. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi then aptly declared the commencement of the wheat revolution.
