India's Wheat Revolution: How Short Wheat Changed the Country's Food Future

India's food future was forever changed by the introduction of short wheat, but it wasn't just about a miracle seed. The country had to rely on imports due to a severe drought in the mid-1960s, with Lyndon B. Johnson telling Congress that India needed at least 11 million tons of imported grain in 1966.

The crisis was averted thanks to imports and distribution efforts, but the situation highlighted the country's vulnerability. Scientists had been working on developing semi-dwarf wheat that could thrive in India's climate, and in 1966, Mexico sent 18,000 tons of dwarf-wheat seed to India.

Indian scientists like M.S. Swaminathan and Norman Borlaug were instrumental in adapting the new wheat to local conditions. However, it took more than just the right seed, irrigation, fertilizers, plant protection, and a buyer at the end of the supply chain were all crucial factors that made high-yielding crops successful.

By 1968, India's wheat production had jumped from 12 million tons to 17 million, making it one of the country's most significant agricultural achievements. The new wheat varieties not only improved yields but also helped to reduce hunger and malnutrition in India.