Farmer-entrepreneur, Mr. Badrinarayan Ramulal Barwale, was the recipient of the 1999 World Food Prize by The World Food Prize Foundation, Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.A. Recognized by the Crop Science Society of America as the Father of Seed Industry in India, he transformed India’s agriculture by creating a modern seed industry that greatly supported India’s "Green Revolution." In the process, he has helped several farmers increase agricultural productivity and improve quality, quantity, and availability of food throughout India.

BR Barwale started his venture as an agricultural businessman in 1964 when he founded Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company, better known today as "Mahyco." Mahyco is the first private enterprise in India that develops and markets high-yielding varieties of best seed quality. Today, Mahyco produces and markets more than 300 hybrid varieties of several crops including rice, wheat, corn, sorghum, pulses, oilseeds and vegetables. It is also the first seed company in the world to successfully commercialize F1 (first generation) hybrid cotton based on the genetically modified seeds/cross-modified seeds (GMS/CMS) system. Through his company, BR Barwale has helped millions of Indian farmers increase the country’s food supply.

Aside from the World Food Prize, BR Barwale received several awards from different organizations and professional associations. In 1996, he received the prestigious award of Honorary Life Membership of the Federation of International Seedsmen (FIS) for his role in the development of the private-sector seed industry in India. FIS is the International Apex body of the Seed Industry. Business Week recognized him as The Star of Asia in 1999, and the President of India awarded him the Padma Bhushan Award in recognition of his distinguished service of high order in the field of trade and economics. On March 2002, he received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.

BR Barwale also founded the Mahyco Research Foundation to provide philanthropic support to the growing needs of the population of India. In particular, the Foundation provides grants to crop research program in rice, builds educational facilities, and constructed a state-of-the-art ophthalmology centre at Jalna to provide free or subsidized eye care to the rural poor.

source: http://www.seedquest.com

• http://www.mahyco.com/
  foodprize.html
• http://www.worldfoodprize.org/
  Laureates/laureates.htm

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