Honoring the Legacy of an Extraordinary Scientist and Leader

Though Borlaug is no longer with us, his achievements continue to inspire redoubled commitment to research for the ongoing fight against hunger.

Dr. Norman Borlaug. Photo: CIMMYT.

The CGIAR joins the many friends, colleagues and admirers of Dr. Norman Borlaug, who passed away on September 12 at the age of 95, in mourning the loss of this truly extraordinary agricultural scientist and leader and in paying tribute to him for a lifetime of indefatigable effort to alleviate the suffering of the poor and hungry. A tribute appearing on the website of the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) recounts many highlights of Borlaug’s work, particularly his innovative approach to the development and promotion of high-yielding, disease-resistant wheats.

First developed by Borlaug and his team in Mexico during the 1950s, the new varieties, along with improved farming practices, were introduced and widely adopted in South Asia during the 1960s. Varieties based on Borlaug’s pioneering work are now grown on 80 million hectares around the world.

Borlaug complemented his scientific work with bold advocacy for the policy and institutional changes needed to bring improved wheats and other agricultural technologies within the reach of small farmers in developing countries. His tireless efforts on both the scientific and policy fronts made possible a revolutionary transformation of agriculture in Asia and elsewhere, which rescued millions from hunger and earned him the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize.

Well aware of the need for further recognition of excellence in agricultural research, Borlaug played a key role in establishing the World Food Prize in 1986, which is now considered the “Nobel Prize” for food and agriculture. About 25 men and women have been awarded the prize for outstanding contributions to boosting the quantity, quality and availability of global food supplies.

Borlaug’s own achievements conveyed an unmistakable message to the world about the power of agricultural research as an indispensable tool for achieving global food security and defeating rural poverty. That idea proved so compelling as to give rise to the CGIAR and to the comprehensive program of research in which it is engaged across the globe with many valued partners.

Though Borlaug was associated most closely with CIMMYT, as a plant breeder and leader of the Center’s wheat research, he offered critical guidance over the years to the CGIAR as a whole. He also inspired and supported younger scientists in all of the CGIAR-supported Centers and in many partner institutions as well, nurturing scientific excellence as well as a genuine passion for improving smallholder agriculture through problem-solving research.

One of the hallmarks of Borlaug’s approach was his unwavering, lifelong commitment to bringing up new generations of scientists for the fight against hunger. Over six decades, he traveled to more than 100 countries, visiting thousands of farmers and agricultural scientists in their fields. The task of strengthening national research capacity is today more necessary than ever, as agriculture confronts many daunting challenges, including the reemergence of food price inflation and the unprecedented threat to agriculture posed by global climate change.

Coping effectively with those challenges, as Borlaug did in the face of last century’s pressing demands on agriculture, will require that the CGIAR complete the reform process now under way and go on to achieve new rounds of impact.

The success of that effort will take all of us, doing the best work of our lives, inspired by the enduring spirit and ideals of our irreplaceable friend and colleague. We can best honor Borlaug’s memory by redoubling our own efforts to advance the tasks that fully absorbed his attention and energy and that now command our full commitment as well.