NEW YORK – Norman Borlaug, often called “Father of the Green Revolution,” received the Congressional Gold Medal July 17 in honor of his work and multiple accomplishments in agricultural science.
A Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award bestowed by the U.S. Congress.
Borlaug has been called the “Father of the Green Revolution” for his contributions to improving the characteristics of crop plants (especially corn and wheat), allowing Mexico, Pakistan, and India to expand their food production and avoid widespread famines.
Nobel winner. Borlaug received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for his agricultural achievements. He also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977.
Now 93, Borlaug still travels widely to developing countries to encourage the application of agricultural advances in the interest of both human well-being and environmental conservation.
He teaches part of the year at Texas A & M University and is a special consultant to (and former director of) the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) in Mexico. He also works for the Sasakawa Global 2000 program in Africa.
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