M.S. Swaminathan receives Volvo's tenth environmental award

M. S. SWAMINATHAN RECEIVES VOLVO'S TENTH ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD Few scientists have had as great an impact on the world's food supply as Dr M. S. Swaminathan. In the 1960s, he led the process of transforming India from a nation with a chronic food shortage into a country self-sufficient in its food needs. His pioneering cultivation methods and innovative agricultural policies have since been implemented in many countries the world over, and today form a cornerstone for global food supply. Throughout his life, Dr Swaminathan has fought against poverty and social injustice, and has dedicated equal energy to securing the rights of women and children in society. At the age of 74, his pace of involvement continues unabated. At the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation in Chennai in southern India, he runs a number of projects aimed at demonstrating how modern technology and traditional know-how can work together to improve conditions for the underprivileged, contributing to sustainable economic, ecological and social development. The motivation of the prize committee: The Volvo Environment Prize is awarded to Dr M. S. Swaminathan because of his achievements as a plant breeder and administrator which have led to dramatic increases in crop yields, his international leadership in agriculture and resource conservation, his deep concern for the poor and disadvantaged, and his continuing research and leadership to ensure that they get the opportunities they need to develop in ways that enhance the natural environment on which they depend. The 1999 Volvo Environment Prize will be awarded at a ceremony in New York on 26 October. The award totals 1.5 million Swedish kronor. The Volvo Environment Prize was created in 1988 and this year's prize is the tenth awarded to date. October 26, 1999 For more information about the beneficiaries and about the Volvo Environment Prize, please contact Lena Gevert, Director Environmental Affairs, AB Volvo: email vhk.lgevert@memo.volvo.se www.environment-prize.com, www.volvo.com/environment For more information about Dr Swaminathan's work, please contact: M.S. SWAMINATHAN RESEARCH FOUNDATION Third Cross Street, Taramani Institutional Area, Chennai 600 113, India Phone: +91-44-2351698, 2350698 Fax: +91-44-2351319 E-mail : general@mssrf.org Web : http://www.mssrf.org, http://www.mssrf.org/aeis http://www.mssrf.org.sg/webfris ------------------------------------------------------------ Please visit http://www.bit.se for further information The following files are available for download: http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/10/26/19991026BIT00080/bit0001.doc http://www.bit.se/bitonline/1999/10/26/19991026BIT00080/bit0002.pdf