The death of Samar Ranjan Sen in July 2004 was a great loss to the field of agricultural economics, and to the larger development community. One of India's foremost agricultural economists and the second chairman of IFPRI's governing body, Dr. Sen is fondly remembered for his work and vision that continue to inspire us.

Born in India in 1916, Dr. Sen earned his PhD in economic theory in 1946 from the London School of Economics, where he was named an Honorary Fellow. In 1948, he joined the Indian Ministry of Agriculture and later served in the Indian Planning Commission as adviser. In the 1950s, he advocated in favor of support prices for foodgrains to encourage food production and equitable food distribution. One of his most enduring contributions of those years was the establishment of several agricultural research centers around the country. In 1978, he was appointed India's executive director to the Board of The World Bank. During his tenure in Washington, D.C., he also served on the IFPRI Board for eight years (1979–1986), seven of which he served in the capacity of Board chair.

To those fortunate enough to have met or worked with him, he will be remembered as a principled, generous, and affectionate man. To those who weren't as lucky, his work will continue to resonate for years to come.