Over 68 students have done their Ph.D thesis work under the guidance of Dr. Swaminathan. In 1972, he introduced the "Techniracy" concept of imparting training in the latest technical skills entirely through work experience, in order to bypass the problems created by illiteracy and fostered the establishment of a chain of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (Farm Science Centres) for this purpose by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. He also initiated the Lab to Land Programme and the whole village operational Research Projects, when he was the Director General of ICAR. Designed the organisation of Farm Schools in the fields of Farmer-achievers to promote farmer to farmer learning.