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Maharashtra Declares August 7 as Sustainable Agriculture Day to Honour Bharat Ratna Dr. M.S. Swaminathan on His Centenary Year.

National | Dated: 31 Jul 2025

On July 29, 2025, the Government of Maharashtra announced that August 7 will be celebrated every year as Sustainable Agriculture Day, in honour of Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, the father of India’s Green Revolution. This initiative forms a key part of his centenary birth anniversary celebrations, recognising his historic contributions to Indian agriculture.

🎯 Key Highlights:

- The decision to observe August 7 as Sustainable Agriculture Day was officially declared by the Maharashtra State Government on July 29, 2025, as part of state-level efforts to pay tribute to Dr. Swaminathan’s lasting legacy in agricultural research, food security, and climate-resilient farming.
- The declaration is aligned with the 100th birth anniversary year (centenary) of Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, born on August 7, 1925 in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu. The year-long observances highlight his path-breaking work in transforming India’s agricultural landscape during the Green Revolution era.
- All agricultural universities across Maharashtra have been directed to establish Dr. MS Swaminathan Bio-happiness Research Centres. These centres will focus on sustainable agriculture practices, climate adaptation technologies, and enhancing food security through science-based farming methods.

💡 Other Important Facts:

(i) To mark the newly declared day, the Maharashtra government will organize statewide commemorative events, agriculture-focused awards, farmer innovation showcases, and community-based outreach programmes to promote awareness around sustainable and climate-smart agriculture.
(ii) Dr. Swaminathan is globally recognised for introducing High-Yielding Varieties (HYVs) of wheat and rice, significantly boosting food production in India during the 1960s–70s. He is celebrated as the Father of India’s Green Revolution, having laid the foundation for the country’s food self-sufficiency.
(iii) In recognition of his monumental service to the nation, Dr. M.S. Swaminathan was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in the year 2024. This further cemented his place among India’s most revered scientists and public figures.

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

Recently, which Indian state declared August 7 as Sustainable Agriculture Day in honour of Dr. M.S. Swaminathan?

Correct Answer: Maharashtra

🚀 Quick Recap:

About Maharashtra

Chief minister: Devendra Fadnavis
Governor: C. P. Radhakrishnan