Chennai July 27, 2017: MSSRF held a condolence meeting for eminent scientist and 1998 World Food laureate Dr Badrinarayan Ramulal Barwale, who passed away on July 24, 2017. He was one of the earliest well wishers of MSSRF in its development activities.
Prof Swaminathan recalled Dr Barwale’s great contribution to seed production and in training tribal communities. He spoke about how Dr Barwale transformed Jalna, Maharashtra into an important centre of seed production.
Dr Barwale won the World Food Prize in 1998 and was the first person from the seed sector to win the prestigious prize. Moreover, whatever money he received from seed production he put it into research and development, said Prof Swaminathan.
Dr V Selvam, Executive Director, MSSRF described him as an iconic figure in the agricultural sector, who was interested in providing quality seeds to farmers for maintaining their livelihood and for food security.
Dr G N Hariharan, Director Biotechnology MSSRF fondly remembered the time when Dr Barwale had visited the Foundation. Dr Barwale was particularly interested in the Greenhouse and the molecular lab and listened very intently to the researchers, he said.
As Prof Swaminathan said we must not only celebrate his life, but also learn from his work and be good human beings. The staff and scientists of MSSRF maintained two minute silence as a tribute to Dr Barwale.

(MSSRF File pic: Prof Swaminathan with Dr Barwale)