Norman Borlaug

Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, the founder of The World Food Prize and recipient of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize for his role as the “Father of the Green Revolution,” has now received America’s highest scientific honor.

President George W. Bush presented The National Medal of Science to Borlaug on February 13, 2006 at a ceremony at the White House. The award is the United States’ most prestigious honor for scientific achievements. It was established in 1959 as a Presidential Award to recognize special achievements and outstanding contributions in the sciences. Dr. Borlaug was honored with seven other National Medal of Science Laureates. A complete list of winners can be found here.

The award comes just weeks after Dr. Borlaug was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian honor, by the President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

It is estimated that Dr. Borlaug’s approach to agriculture and his development of high-yielding wheat varieties have saved one billion people from famine and starvation and preserved more than one billion hectares of natural habitat. The Atlantic Monthly called Dr. Borlaug the man who has “saved more lives than any other person who has ever lived.”

Looking to create a “Nobel-like” prize for food and agriculture, Dr. Borlaug founded The World Food Prize in 1986. As The World Food Prize celebrates its 20th Anniversary, Dr. Borlaug continues to travel around the world to inspire further breakthrough achievements to increase the quality and availability of food throughout the world. According to Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn, President of the World Food Prize, “Combating world hunger has been his life’s work. Receiving the National Medal of Science further cements Dr. Borlaug’s status as a world hero, one of the most important people of the 20th Century, and one of Iowa’s greatest citizens.”

Despite his numerous accolades, Dr. Borlaug often states that his proudest accomplishment is co-founding, with John Ruan Sr., the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute in 1994. Dr. Borlaug often says, “My most important legacy will be the young students who I inspire to follow careers in science and agriculture.”