The man who fed the world...

I am but one member of a vast team made up of many organizations, officials, thousands of scientists, and millions of farmers - mostly small and humble - who for many years have been fighting a quiet, oftentimes losing war on the food production front. Norman Borlaug (1914-2009) The Man who Fed the World / Norman Ernest Borlaug (March 25, 1914 – September 12, 2009). American agronomist, humanitarian, and Nobel laureate, and has been called the father of the Green Revolution. Nobel Peace Prize, Presidential Medal of Freedom, Congressional Gold Medal, recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honor. Borlaug's discoveries have been estimated to have saved over 245 million lives worldwide.

Therefore I feel that the aforementioned guiding principle must be modified to read: If you desire peace, cultivate justice, but at the same time cultivate the fields to produce more bread; otherwise there will be no peace. Norman Borlaug (1914-2009) The Man who Fed the World / Norman Ernest Borlaug (March 25, 1914 – September 12, 2009). American agronomist, humanitarian, and Nobel laureate, and has been called the father of the Green Revolution. Nobel Peace Prize, Presidential Medal of Freedom, Congressional Gold Medal, recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honor. Borlaug's discoveries have been estimated to have saved over 245 million lives worldwide.

Norman Ernest Borlaug
(March 25, 1914 – September 12, 2009)

Farmer
Agronomist
Plant Breeder
Father of the Green Revolution
Champion of the War against Hunger
His legacy grows in five continents
It has saved many lives
We use it everyday

Anol, Shalom

Keep fighting... for peace

Read about it...

The Man who Fed the World, by Leon Hasser. An authorised biography of Norman Ernest Borlaug (March 25, 1914 – September 12, 2009). American agronomist, humanitarian, and Nobel laureate, and has been called the father of the Green Revolution. Nobel Peace Prize, Presidential Medal of Freedom, Congressional Gold Medal, recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honor. Borlaug's discoveries have been estimated to have saved over 245 million lives worldwide.

Hesser, L (2006) The man who fed the world. Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Norman Borlaug and his battle to end world hunger. Durban House Publishing, Dallas, TX.

4 Comments by our readers :::

Lucas FL said...: Posted by Lucas FL on 9/14/2009, 1:21 am, in reply to "The man who fed the world... "

It's my understanding that he may have saved a billion people from starvation. Rest in peace.; 15 September 2009 at 05:22
Gus - Eucalyptologics said...: Posted by Gus -- NW Spain on 9/14/2009, 6:07 am, in reply to "Re: The man who fed the world... "

The number is probably unknown, but if it has not yet reached that, it will sooner or later.

Several developing countries with huge human populations have become self-sufficient for grain production thanks to his high yield cereal varieties and the breeding work his work inspired. A benefactor of humanity. Pride of the USA.; 15 September 2009 at 05:24
Alex - Atlanta said...: Still,

Posted by Alex-Atlanta 7b on 9/14/2009, 7:19 am, in reply to "Re: The man who fed the world... "

It's interesting to read some of the negetives mentioned, regarding his work. It will likely take a few more years to know if they're true.

Of course, it's still a net positive, thus far.; 15 September 2009 at 05:26
Gus - Eucalyptologics said...: Re: Still,

Posted by Gus -- NW Spain on 9/14/2009, 9:18 am, in reply to "Still,"

I agree :-) As usual, when any work, by some odd, has a so large influence on human activity at a so large scale (measured as "large tracts of land")... it creates impacts.

Obviously, at an economic level. Also, at a social level. And doubtless, at an environmental level.

However, what matters is not the impact itself, from any of those angles, because all human activity causes impacts. What matters is the global balance of each impact, and then, the global balance of all those impacts together. The positives minus the negatives. Only time can tell.

But, I agree, my perception is also of a net positive.

Who knows how many other Borlaugs, Einsteins, Gandhis, Mandelas or Wallenbergs, even if with different names and backgrounds, may grow and bloom in future from that billion (or whatever) saved lives and their progenies? :-); 15 September 2009 at 05:30