The commitment continues for Dr. Norman Borlaug

The “Green Revolution” all began with the collaboration of Rockefeller Foundation and the government of Mexico. Norman Borlaug and a small research team in Mexico worked to improve the nation’s agricultural capacity. Borlaug’s responsibility was wheat. Under Borlaug’s leadership, researchers overcame the rust problem and pioneered the development of short-statured, wheat. Nearly half the new plants’ weight was grain, and the stems were short and strong enough to stay erect until harvest. By 1960s Mexico has been self-sufficient in wheat production.

In recent years, Borlaug has been busy promoting a technology developed by Oklahoma State University (OSU) and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) to help poor farmers in Africa. The technology, known as GreenSeeker, uses a special sensor to measure infrared and near-infrared light reflected from the leaves of growing plants. The approach allows farmers easily and cheaply to determine the optimum application of fertilizer for a developing wheat or maize crop. Since fertilizer resources are scarce in much of Africa, a timely application of the correct amounts can save farmers money and help produce a better crop. OSU researchers are now taking on the challenge of producing a less expensive model that will work for the rural poor in Africa.

To read more, visit http://www.cimmyt.org/english/wps/news/2007/apr/BorlaugCommitment.htm.