03/02/06 Hero

Yes there are still heroes, we just look for them in the wrong places. One of mine happens to be someone many have never heard of. Dr. Norman Borlaug. In 1970 Mr. Borlaug was awarded the Nobel peace prize for firing the first shot in the green revolution. In the late 50's Dr Borloug bred a fungus resistant wheat specifically for Mexican farmers that tripled their yields. By 1963, 95 % Mexico wheat was the Borlaug variety. During the 60's India, was on the brink of a massive famine. Borlaug packed his bags for India undaunted by critics that said he was wasting his time and that mass starvation was inevitable. Indian farmers overwhelmingly accepted Norman's seeds and by 1974 India's wheat production had tripled, starvation was held at bay. At ninety two years today Dr. Norman Borlaug is credited for being the first person to save a billion human lives and he is still busy promoting the green revolution in agriculture. That's a hero. I'm Susan Allen and this is Food Forethought.