World Food Prize laureate Swaminathan opens Heuermann Lecture series Monday

M.S. Swaminathan
M.S. Swaminathan

The first World Food Prize laureate, M.S. Swaminathan of India, opens the new Heuermann Lecture series Oct. 10, in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

His 3 p.m. lecture in Hardin Hall comes at the invitation of University of Nebraska President James B. Milliken and the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute. In March 2011, Milliken and Swaminathan jointly hosted a symposium in Chennai, India, on managing water resources for food security, sponsored by the Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum.

Swaminathan’s topic is “Food Security in an Era of Price Volatility and Climate Change.” Food security – people’s ability to live without fear of hunger or starvation – is a key topic as the Heuermann Lectures focus on meeting the world’s growing food and renewable energy needs while sustaining natural resources and rural communities.

The lectures are made possible through a gift from B. Keith and Norma Heuermann of Phillips, long-time university supporters with a strong commitment to Nebraska’s production agriculture, natural resources, rural areas and people.

Swaminathan is known as a world leader in sustainable food security, and as the catalyst of the green revolution movement in India between 1960-1982 that moved the country from having the world’s largest food deficit to producing enough grain to feed its people. He also is known for his significant contributions in promoting the knowledge, skills and technological empowerment of women in agriculture.

More details at: http://go.unl.edu/cbb