Norman Borlaug [Volume 14 No. 4 (2014)]

 

Tom Lumpkin,
DG CIMMYT,
in 2009 after Dr. Borlaug’s death

Dear Ruth

I'd like to thank you sincerely for your thoughtful and consoling words about Dr. Norman Borlaug. We have been blessed by having this great man in our lives. With Norm gone, the world has lost a steadfast champion and spokesman against hunger and poverty. We have entered a post-Borlaug era, and it's up to all of us to ensure that his moral authority and clear message live on. His presence will never really leave CIMMYT: he is our soul.

Those who knew Norm closely recall that he encouraged everyone to be fearless and to act boldly. He had great faith in CIMMYT friends and partners like you. He would want each of us to recognize that we can do what he did, that with passion and toughness almost anything is possible, but that no one can do it all alone.

So let's draw comfort and strength from the memory of Dr. Borlaug's extraordinary life, and then honor it by moving forward and expanding on his vision together: that of using science and our enthusiasm to help maize and wheat farmers in developing world to grow more food, more efficiently, more profitably and in ways that spare the environment.

Let's continue corresponding as we see opportunities to work together on this.

Warm regards,

Thomas A. Lumpkin
Director General
CIMMYT