B. R. Barwale | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1931 |
| Died | 24 July 2017 (86) |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Awards |
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Badrinarayan Ramulal Barwale (1931 – 24 July 2017) is one of the most regarded personality[1] in the Indianseeds industry, who revolutionised farming practices by producing cheaper andhigher-yield seeds in theMarathwada region of India.[1][peacock prose]
Barwale was born in 1931 inHingoli,Nizam state (nowMaharashtra), India. He began farming on his family's land in the 1950s, experimenting with a high-yieldokra hybrid given to him at the World Agricultural Fair inNew Delhi. In 1964, he started the Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company, also known asMahyco, where he cultivated the higher efficiency seeds and began selling them to area farmers at an affordable price.[2] Mahyco expanded to a network of farmers producing new seed varieties of several different crops.[3] By providing assistance and guaranteeing loans for farmers cultivating Mahyco's seeds, Barwale's team was able to gain valuable feedback on various crop strains and make subsequent improvements to their yield and quality.[4]
Barwale was awarded the 12thWorld Food Prize in 1998 for his work in providing affordable, high-yield seed varieties and agronomic training to farmers across India.[5] ThePresident of India awarded him thePadma Bhushan award in 2001 for his distinguished service in the field of trade and economic activity.
He died on 24 July 2017 in Mumbai at the age of 86.[1]