Juan Galvez

Cuban agricultural scientist who developed pest-resistant crops saving millions from famine

Juan Galvez (1908-1972) revolutionized agriculture in Latin America through his work in plant genetics. Born in a rural Cuban village, he witnessed the devastation of the 1930s coffee blight that displaced thousands. He pioneered genetic crossbreeding techniques at the University of Havana, creating disease-resistant varieties of beans and maize.

His Green Revolution strains (1948) increased crop yields by 300% while requiring fewer pesticides. The Galvez Hybrid Corn became a staple across Central America, preventing famine during the 1950s drought crisis. His crop rotation system preserved soil fertility in marginal lands.

Galvez secretly trained farmers in guerrilla agricultural techniques during the Cuban Revolution, ensuring food security despite blockades. His Seed Bank Network (1965) preserved genetic diversity for future crises. The FAO still uses his integrated pest management principles. Over 50 million people in the Caribbean and Andean regions benefit from his innovations annually.