A plant scientist credited with increasing world wheat production by more than 180 million tonnes (1000 kilograms) has been awarded the 2014 World Food Prize.

Sanjaya Rajaram, Indian by birth but a citizen of Mexico, successfully cross-bred winter and spring wheat varieties, which led to his developing plants with higher yields. More than 480 high-yielding wheat varieties bred by Rajaram have been released in 51 countries, according to the U.S. Department of State.

The varieties have been widely adopted by small and large-scale farmers.

Announcement of the prize was made on June 18th at a ceremony hosted by the Department of State in Washington, DC.

"When you do the math," said Secretary of State John Kerry, "when our planet needs to support 2 billion more people in the next three decades, it’s not hard to figure out. This is the time for a second green revolution. That's why Dr. Sanjaya Rajaram is being honored with the World Food Prize... We are grateful for the hundreds of new species of wheat Dr. Rajaram developed, which deliver 200 million more tons of grain to global markets each year and feed millions across the world."

This year is the 28th anniversary of the prize, worth $250,000 USD. Its purpose is to recognize individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world.

Rajaram's wheat varieties are resistant to disease and adaptable to multiple types of climate. Much of his work was conducted in Mexico at the International Center for the Improvement of Corn and Wheat (CIMMYT), where he has worked since 1969 and taught more than 400 scientists. He worked with eminent American scientist Norman Borlaug, known as the father of the green revolution.