Life Members

Completed his Doctorate at IARI, New Delhi with Gold Medal; worked as Alexander von Humboldt Fellow, AvH Europe Fellow and DAAD Fellow; developed new population improvement methods and mating designs, and worked on QTLs and di-haploids to understand heterosis and enhance selection gain. His team (PAU) developed 16 maize cultivars including ‘Paras’, the first single-cross hybrid in India. The research on maize during non-traditional seasons led to the emergence of spring maize as an important crop; as Director, NBPGR, he started National Network on comprehensive germplasm evaluation, and developed integrated germplasm collection-evaluation-conservation database. The germplasm accessions in National Genebank increased from 0.196 to 0.303 million.

As VC, PAU, the university won ICAR’s ‘Sardar Patel Outstanding Institution Award (2017)’ and top positions (mostly first) among SAUs in ICAR ranking (2017-21). His untiring in-field efforts as Chairman, Joint Inter-State (Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan) Campaign Committee to manage cotton white fly epidemics during 2016 and 2017 brought him the appreciation as ‘Kisana da VC’.

Awarded with NAAS-Dr BP Pal Memorial Award, ICAR-Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Memorial Prize, CIMMYT-ICAR-Asian Maize Champion Award, Om Parkash Bhasin Award for Science and Technology, M&M Krishi Shiromani Samman Lifetime Achievement Award. He is FNA, FNAAS, FNASc, JC Bose National Fellow and D.Sc. (h.c.); received Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Achievers Award by the Government of Punjab and coveted ‘Padma Shri Award’ (2019) by the President of India.

Govaerts is a member of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network and an A.D. White Professor-at-Large at Cornell University. Govaerts is independent board member of Grupo CERES and comprised subsidiaries. He received the Norman Borlaug Field Award in 2014 from the World Food Prize Foundation. In 2020, Govaerts was elected as Fellow by The American Society of Agronomy (ASA) for his outstanding contributions to the field of agronomy. He holds a Ph.D. in Bioscience Engineering – Soil Science; a master’s degree in Soil Conservation and Tropical Agriculture; and a bachelor’s degree in Bioscience Engineering, all from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium.

• The Glenn Anderson award (2023)
• Fellow American Society of Agronomy (2020)
• Premio Tecnoagro (2018)
• Norman Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application, endowed by the Rockefeller Foundation and presented by the World Food Prize Foundation (2014)
• Development Cooperation Prize 2003 of the Belgian Federal Government (2004)
• Appointment to Belgian Official Representative of the International Youth Forum for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (1998)

• Advancement of agriculture science: developed forewarning systems for crop diseases and encouraged fellow scientists in prediction modelling. First time, elucidated the mechanism of synergism between two plant pathogens causing significant damage in crop production. Discovered for the first time a new disease in Sunflower and developed biology, epidemiology and mechanism of resistance which resulted in the release of two improved disease resistant hybrids. My research has shown that the addition of adequate nutrition could be a major factor for the management of crop diseases. Investigated a disease of unknown etiology related to unconventional pathogen like Flagellate protozoa in cotton. The outcome of research has ultimately benefited the scientific community to commence advance research in crop disease and developed suitable management practices for the benefit of farming community of rainfed agriculture.
• Technology Led Transformation of Cotton: Successfully supervised country-wide field testing of innovative insect resistant Bt cotton for biosafety, efficacy, and field performance in India, which was then released for cultivation by NDA government by late Vajpayee in 2002. Subsequently, led a team of cotton scientists to standardize and develop the production technology for the benefit of ~7 million cotton farmers. Moreover, the pan India stewardship of Bt technology was implemented under the TMC when I became the Agriculture Commissioner GoI which helped build confidence amongst farmers for adoption of Bt technology and innovative cotton practices.
• In Search of Talent: As Chairman of ASRB, New Delhi, introduced a series of reforms and improved the talent search in agriculture for manning scientists of 103 institutions. Nearly 5000 candidates were selected after rigorous recruitment process without any grievances. A new system was introduced for talent search which appealed researchers and scientific community. I have introduced on-line examination for the first time for entry point recruitment of scientists, inculcating the rigor and scientific temper in the national agriculture research system.
• Large Scale Field Demonstration of Innovative Practices: During the period of VC MAU Parbhani, I have undertaken several massive projects of mega experiments in the rainfed region focusing on high input technology of cotton adopted from Israel using computer-controlled system. In contrast, the second demonstration was on low input technology in a village namely ASHTA, Nanded. These mega demonstrations have shown the scientific way of increasing production under divergent situations and significantly reduced cost of production, increased yield, and considerably improved income by Rs 12000 per acre. These experiments were unique in the history of rainfed farming and taken note by then Planning Commission for large scale adoption.

Awards and Honours; Prof.M.J.Narasimhan Academic Award,1974; V.P. Gokhale Award, 1998; Vasantrao Naik Krishi Award, 2002; Outstanding Team Research Award, 2003; Dr. B. Vishwanath Award, 2005; Life Time Achievement Awards, 2008, 2011, 2012,2015 ;Lekhiram Memorial Award,2009; Doda Raghav Reddy Award,2010; Leadership Award 2010; Amit Prabudh Manishi Award,;2012; IPS Recognition Award,2012; Sasya Suraksha Mahajani Award,2012; Honoured with two civilian awards for social, cultural and scientific activities in the CITY OF NAGPUR; viz.,GLOBAL NAGPUR AND SARATHI AWARDS. SHETI SANMAN PURASKAR by ABP MAZA Marathi Channel, 2016; Annasaheb Shinde Puraskar-2017 for contribution to agriculture, DR A.P.MISRA.Life Time Achievement Award -2017 by IIPS, New Delhi.,PADMABHUSHAN DR KARMAVEER BHAURAO PATIL NATIONAL AWARD-2017 by RAYAT SHIKSHAN SANTHA ,Satara

D.Sc. (HonorisCausa), Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa Samastipur (Bihar), 2009; OUAT, Bhubaneshwar (Orissa),2010, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat (Assam), 2010 and Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri (M.S.)-2023. President, Indian Society for Cotton Improvement, 2008 to date, and Founder President, South Asia Biotechnology Centre, New Delhi, President Indian Phytopathological Society,1997-98; SMPP, Udaipur,2006-09, Doctor’s Krishi Academy, Lucknow, 2006-11; CRDA, Hissar,2010-11, Chief Editor ,IPS New Delhi,2004-06.

Fellow: Maharashtra Academy of Sciences.; Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology and National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Dehi

Research Areas: Agriculture, Plant Pathology, Epidemiology and Management, Human Resource Development, Cotton Improvement and biotechnology

Dr. B.M. Prasanna has been leading maize breeding and seed systems work at CIMMYT since 2010. Through innovative partnerships in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Latin America, Prasanna has atalyzed massive seed scaling and deployment of climate resilient and nutritionally enriched maize varieties, besides applying novel tools/technologies for increasing genetic gains and breeding fficiency. He has been at the forefront in managing major transboundary pests/pathogens of maize, including Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN) and Fall Armyworm. Prior to joining CIMMYT, Prasanna served he ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, for two decades, and received several prestigious awards/recognitions, including ICAR National Fellow (2005-2010), NAAS Fellowship (2009), Dr B.P. Pal Award of IARI (2007), Best Teacher Award of IARI (2004), FAO Fellowship (1998), etc.

Made basic research contributions to soil microbiology of arid and semi arid regions including nitrogen fixation ,phosphorous solubilisation, impact of climate change on dryland crops adaptation and mitigation strategies , preparation of vulnerability atlas of Indian agriculture to climate change, district contingency plans etc. Leadership on dryland agriculture and climate hange research in ICAR,initiated NICRA project and coordinated the climate change research across the country.As Vice chancellor of VNMKV,helped The Maharashtra Govt in Developing a state level limate adaptation project..Published over 250 research papers in peer reviewed journals with total citations of 12,000 and h index of 55. Received Hari Om Ashram Trust ,Vasantrao Naik and akruddin Ali Ahmed awards of ICAR.J N Mukherjee memorial lecture award of ICAR,International crop science congress award etc.Fellow of National Academy of agricultural sciences .

Dr BN Tripathi, an FRCPath is currently Vice Chancellor of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology (SKUAST), Jammu and previously worked as Deputy Director General (Animal Science), ICAR, New Delhi, (2020-2024), Director of ICAR-NRC on Equine Hisar and Director of NIAH Baghpat (2012-2020) and Head Division of Animal Health, CSWRI, Avikanagar. He was Postdoctoral Scientist, at Institute of Animal Health, Compton (UK) and at Moredun research Institute, Edinburgh.

• Dr Tripathi’s major research interest has been the patho-biology of infectious diseases, host-pathogen interaction, vaccine and diagnostic development.
• He has published over 200 original research papers in high impact journals, 6 books, 20 diagnostics & vaccines technologies, 10 patents including Ancovax (for corona virus in animals) and Lumpi-ProVacInd ( for Lumpy skin disease) vaccine, which has been commercialized.
• He is elected Fellow of 9 Science Academics/Societies including Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath), London UK; National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (FNAAS), National Academy of Veterinary Sciences (FNAVS), etc.
• He is recipient of several awards: Best teacher award, IAVP awards, life time achievement awards, oration awards, etc.
• He has been member of several national and international policy making bodies.
• He is currently President of the Indian Association of Veterinary Pathologists (IAVP) since 2022.

Dr.Ch.Srinivasa Rao made outstanding contributions in soil-carbon sequestration, climate change, plant-nutrition mediated stress-management. Contributed to development/ implementation of 637-district agriculture contingency plans towards climate preparedness and real-time responses. Instrumental in establishing carbon-positive-model-villages in 151 climatically-vulnerable districts of India. Contributed to reshaping the capacity building programs for NAREES and transformation of NAARM into think-tank research policy Institute. He is elected fellow of INSA, NAAS and NASI. Under his leadership; both ICAR Institutes (NAARM & CRIDA) received Sardar Patel Outstanding-Research-Institute Award of ICAR. Recipient of Rafi Ahmad Kidwai Award of ICAR. Published 348 peer-reviewed research papers with H-Index of 51 and 10,541-citations

• Associated with development of wheat varieties, HD 3059 (Pusa Pachheti): A variety to follow cotton and late maturing rice in Punjab and Haryana; HD 3043 (Pusa Chaitanya): The variety HD 3043 released & notified for restricted irrigated conditions of North Western Plains Zone and HD 3298: High Zink variety.
• Publications: 35+ Research Papers, 14 Books/Catalogues, 09 Book Chapters and 03 Popular Articles. Served Indian Society of Plant Genetic Resources (ISPGR) as Joint Secretary, 2002 – 2004; Treasurer, 2004 – 2007 and 2019 -2021 and Editor, Indian J. PGR, 2009 – 2015.
• Fellow of Indian Society of Seed Science & Technology (ISSST) and ISPGR.
• Life member of ISPGR, ISSST and Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding.
• Convenor, Germplasm Advisory Committee for rice, wheat and barley constituted by ICAR.
• Member Secretary, Research Advisory Committee of Directorate of Seed Research, Mau. (2007 - 2009).
• ICAR’ Nodal Officer for technical comments on RKVY projects submitted by States/SAUs to RKVY Cell, DoA&FW, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
• International Exposure: Visited China (Hainan) on Study tour (1998); ‘Ug99 Platform of CIMMYT’ at KALRO, Kenya as visiting scientist (2018); CIMMYT, Mexico as visiting scientist (2019); Participated in CURE meeting as Member Steering Committee organized by IRRI, Philippines at Vientiane, Lao PDR (2017); Visited Israel on study tour ‘Water Use Efficiency in Field Crops’ (2019).

Serving as DDG (Fisheries Science), ICAR since January 2016. Also served as DDG (Animal Science) for three and half years. Before this, led the ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR), Lucknow as Director for >5 years.

Developed several technologies viz., aquaculture diversification, intensive carp culture, cryopreservation, applied nutrition, etc. Operating the National Surveillance Programme for Aquatic Animal Diseases (NSPAAD) and Indian Network on Fisheries and Animal Antimicrobial Resistance (INFAAR) as National Coordinator. Published over 210 research papers in national and international journals, besides several books and other publications.

Conferred with several awards and recognition, including Rafi Ahmad Kidwai Award of ICAR; and ICAR Award for Team Research. Held important positions viz., President of Asian Fisheries Society (AFS), Kuala Lumpur; Chairman of Asian Fisheries Society Indian Branch; and Secretary, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS). Served as the Chairman/Member of different national/International-level committees.

Developing Climate Resilient Villages in Andhra Pradesh; Collaborative agroecology research with SAUs, ICAR institutes and international institutions (PIK, Germany and others). Planned and executed oilseeds research in India as Director, ICAR-IIOR. Contributed to development of indigenous seed systems SOPs approved by Government of Odisha. Side event on soil health conducted in FAO, Rome in 12th Global Soil Partnerships Assembly. He contributed to developing agroecology research agenda for one CGIAR. Dr Varaprasad has 126 research publications in reputed journals. He worked with ICRISAT, UNDP and APAARI.

UNDP India Biodiversity Award (2016) & Dr. G.I.D’ Souza Memorial Award (2017).

• Graduate in agriculture and post graduate and doctorate in agricultural economics. Superannuated in 2009 after serving as scientist in ARS for 23 years in different positions and institutions of ICAR including Professor and Principal Scientist at Indian Agricultural Research Institute; Director, National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research; Assistant Director General and National Director of National Agricultural Innovation Project supported by the World Bank.
• Completed more than 25 national and international research projects and several consultancy projects from FAO, World Bank, ADB, UNESCAP, CGIAR Institutions, Government of Bangladesh, Central and State Governments of India, published more than 100 research papers in high impact journals, guided research students for M.Sc. and Ph.D., conducted national and international trainings and extensively travelled to more than 25 countries in official capacity.
• Brilliant academic career, honoured with scholarships, state award and gold medals during studies including ICAR award for outstanding Ph.D. thesis and prestigious Dr.M.S.Randhawa memorial award by NAAS for outstanding lifelong contributions in agricultural administration, social sciences and transfer of technology. Fellow of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi and Indian Society of Agricultural Economics, Mumbai.

• Was a Scientist (Floriculture) at IARI. Worked as Director (Horticulture), Govt. of India steering the horticulture development programs. Worked as Consultant with Planning Commission, APEDA, NHB, several state governments for horticulture development. Was International Consultant with FAO, UNDP, ADB, in Bangladesh, Vietnam, Myanmar, Lao PDR on horticulture / Floriculture development. Served as first Technical Director, Asia & Pacific Seed Association; Director, National Seed Association of India.
• Awarded Lotus Puraskar (2010) of Ind. Soc. Orn. Hort.; India Agribusiness Award (ICFA-2018), Shri Vijay Pokarna Gold Medal (2022) of Indian Rose Federation; All India Kitchen Garden Association Medal (1999); Florex India Award (2007).

Developed 15 technologies in the field of aquaculture, published >200 research papers, 12 books and everal popular activities, Guided 40 students for their Ph.D and PG degrees. Visited USA, Thailand, Nepal, Bangladesh etc. Fellow of 4 professional socie=ties, Received Best Teacher award and Best Scientist Award from Heera lal chaudhary Fisheries Foundation , CIFE, Mumbai, Datta Munhi Gold medal and recognization award from ZSI, Total Experience 36 Years.

Dr Pratibha Singh Regional Manager, South Asia is based in AHC, New Delhi, India. She has over 30 years’ experience in crop research and technology management. Her core competency is in the field of molecular plant pathology and biotechnological innovation in crop improvement at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi; USDA–Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Centre, Stuttgart, USA; Cornell University, Ithaca, USA; and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Fredericton. She earned her graduation with bronze medal in Agriculture and Animal husbandry and a Master of Agriculture Biotechnology from G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, India, and a PhD in Agriculture (major in plant pathology) as a Monbusho Scholar from

Tottori University, Japan. Major achievements:
• 1. Isolated Two toxins (named SV-toxin I and II) were found to be produced by pathogenic isolates of S. vesicarium, and a procedure for purifying SV-toxins from culture filtrates of the pathogen was established. The research work was published as cover story of Phytopathology.
• 2. Development of Dominant Rice Blast Pi-ta Resistance Gene Markers The outcomes of research work are being used in molecular rice breeding program in Arkansas.
• 3. Successfully initiated the Excellence Through Stewardship (ETS) programme for agriculture biotechnology research in India with Pioneer/DuPont India and ISCB (which is the first initiative for ETS coordination in Indian public organizations);
• 4. Successfully transferred and managed the Biofertilizer and GM Chickpea Technology to private industry developed in ISCB project partnerships.
• 5. Developed ACIAR-Bangladesh 10-year research collaboration strategy 2021-2030 including experience in financial and technical monitoring and evaluation of research projects and as a member of several project selection and review committees in ACIAR.

• Pioneered the introduction of Bt Cotton technology in India.
• Built a R&D infrastructure of global standard for Seed technology at Jalna, India.
• Expanded Mahyco to Southeast Asia and Africa for the benefit of small holder farmers.
• Introduced the Bt Brinjal technology in Bangladesh in 2013, and the Bt Cotton Technology in Malawi, Kenya, and Nigeria in the recent years.
• Leads the Fowler Westrup in India and the Westrup in Denmark as Chairman, the two companies of the group providing globally the agricultural processing equipment and the storage solutions to minimize the post-harvest losses of the agri produce.
• Leading the Seven Star Fruits Pvt Ltd. engaged in providing elite horticulture genetics for select fruit crops, apart from exporting fruits and vegetables from India
• Board member of about 20 companies & non-governmental organizations are - Member of the World bank supported initiative of National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP)of ICAR,
• Has been recognized in many forums for his contributions to the cause of betterment of life of small holder farmers using modern science.
• Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) conferred by Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Maharashtra in Jan 2024

• 2017 to 2023 Senior Coordinator, Asia-Pacific Consortium on Agricultural Biotechnology and Bioresources (APCoAB), Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI), Bangkok, Thailand.
• 2009 to 2017: Head, Division of Germplasm Conservation (National Genebank), ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi, India.
• 2006-2009: Principal Scientist at ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi, India.
• 2002: Post-doctoral Research Associate, University of Illinois, USA.
• 1986-2006: Scientist/Senior Scientist at ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi and ICAR-NBPGR Regional Station, Shimla (1986-89), Himachal Pradesh, India.
• 1997 to 2017: Faculty Member/Research Guide, Post-Graduate School, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, India.

Fellow of National Academy of Biological Sciences- 2018; ISST Scientist of Eminence Award-2018; Fellowships of ISST- 2007, SEE-2014, STA-2021; Certificate of Best performer Centre-2019; Personal Member of ISTA-2017; Designated member for India to exercise rights within the ISTA by GoI - 2020 to 2023; Recognitions for association in development of Land Mark Variety Pusa Mustard 25 & 30-2019; Certificate of Appreciation by PPV&FRA-2011; SEE Young Scientist Award-2009 besides Best Oral/Paper Presentations (5), Best Research Paper (1), Best Poster Presentation and Ram Nath Award-2000. Life member professional societies; TAAS, Vigyan Bharati , ISGPB, NABS, ISST, SEE, ISAP and HAA. Hold various offices in Professional Societies; Secretary, Joint Secretary and Councillor.

Dr Umesh Srivastava is a down to earth, dedicated, quiet, highly energetic skilled-driven individual. He is a great minded and hard-working individual with a charming personality even at the ripe old age of 73. An inspiration to many, regardless of the field of study, he is a diligent and devoted person who contributed five (5) decades of his life to improve agri-horticulture across the country, including the life of tribal farmers in inaccessible areas of Abujhmarh, Bastar. He has done pioneering work in agri-horticultural crops exploration and collection (including ethnobotany), plant ecology and phytogeography, crop evolutionary studies (small millets, Cucumis species, Luffa species, okra, Alliums); characterization, evaluation and conservation of sesame, lentil, small millets, tomato (developed core set in tomato), brinjal, chillies and cucurbitaceous vegetables, M&AP, and other agri-horticultural crops, and contributed a great deal to the development of several improved varieties. He conducted 68 exploration expeditions and evaluated over 12,000 accessions of different crops. He explored mostly in difficult and inaccessible terrains in search of rare germplasm with useful genes which was used by breeders in developing 34 varieties, especially in different vegetables, ragi, foxtail millet and kodo millet. His contribution for the assessment of plant diversity both in cultivated and wild species had been adjudged as noteworthy and highlighted by several workers. He is also author of a text book “Plant Genetic Resources in Indian Perspective-Theory and Practices” (only one text book available so far) which has acclaimed recognition among agrobiodiversity community and used as a reference book for PGR Courses research institutes/ SAUs. As ADG (Horticulture) for 2 terms, he managed 23 horticultural institutes and 13 AICRPs and has given new direction in R&D for enhancing crop productivity in several horticultural crops including nutritional security. His contribution is exemplary in establishing, Indian Society of Plant Genetic Resources (ISPGR) and helping in various capacities as Joint Secretary/ Interim-cum-Organizing Secretary, Vice President and Editor/Editor-in-Chief of Indian Journal of Plant Genetic Resources (IJPGR) for over 25 years. He was recently awarded with ‘TOP MOST Agriculture Leader of India by Washington DC located World Sustainability Congress during February 2023 with Plaque, Citation and Cash prize, Dr Harbhajan Singh Memorial Award for Life Time Achievement (2021-22) with Plaque, Citation and Cash prize by the ISPGR, New Delhi (Aug. 2023) and राष्ट्रीय प्रतिभा सम्मान to Real Time Heros by Golden Sparrow, New Delhi in collaboration with e-Biotorium, News Media, DD News, ANI News, WBTR, ThePrint etc. 28 April 2024.

A man of his calibre and experience often has vices like pride, but he stayed humble throughout his life giving back to the society.

• NABARD Chair in Fisheries ( 2019-2021) , Senior Consultant/Advisor for Aquaculture , DBT, Govt of India, ( 2018-2020) , OSD -Blue Revolution , ICAR ( 2016-17) , Director and Vice Chancellor. Central Institute of Fisheries Education ( 2010-2015) Director, National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources ( 2005-2010).
• Fellow, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Academy of Sciences, India .
• Conferred ICAR Hari OM Ashram Trust Award, ICAR Dr Rajendra Prasad Award, VASVIK Award, Dr M S Swaminathan Best Fisheries Scientist Award.

Dr. Bakshi Ram is a plant breeding scientist of international repute and has the unique distinction of being the Director of ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore and UP Council of Sugarcane Research, Shahjahanpur, two oldest sugarcane institutions of the country established in 1912. His quest to develop early maturing varieties combining high cane yield and high sugar recovery led to the development of a Modified Selection Procedure. Following this Modified Selection Procedure, 24 sugarcane varieties were released and notified. Varieties, developed by him, occupy 29.94 lakh hectares in Punjab, Haryana, UP, Uttarakhand and Bihar during 2020-21 which was about 89.9 percent of total sugarcane area in these states and 58.8 percent of the total sugarcane area in the country. Co 0238, developed by him, paved the way for SWEET REVOLUTION in the country. Co 0238 accounted for about 27.9 lakh hectare area (84.2%) in five sub-tropical states and 54.9 percent of the sugarcane area in the country. Adoption of Co 0238 led to about 19.7 t/ha higher cane yield and about 2.44 units higher sugar recovery in sub-tropical region.

He has more than 435 publications to his credit. He has served as the President and Members of six academic Societies. For his illustrious achievements, he has been conferred with 48 Awards / Felicitations / Honours including Padma Shri, Haryana Vigyan Ratna Award, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award, US Awasthi IFFCO Award, Fellowship of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences and 3 Life-Time Achievement Awards.

Dr Bhag Mal, a Plant Breeder by profession, is currently the Secretary and Trustee of the Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS). He had earlier served as the Executive Secretary/Senior Consultant, Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI), Bangkok; South Asia Coordinator, Bioversity International, Rome; Director, IGFRI, Jhansi; ADG (F&FC)’ ADG (Seed), ICAR; and National Coordinator (Potential Crops), ICAR-NBPGR. He had been the President and Vice President, Indian Society of Plant Genetic Resources; and President, Range Management Society of India and Vice President of Indian Society of Genetics & Plant Breeding. He is recipient of Chancellor’s Medal, Agra University and Dr Harbhajan Singh Memorial Award, NBPGR. He chaired Scientific Sessions in several National and International conferences and had been Chairman/Member of manynationalReview Committees and Scientific Delegations to FAO, Rome and China. He also developed several improved forage crop varieties.

I served as Director, of ICAR-Directorate of Rapeseed-Mustard Research, Bharatpur from 2013 to 2016. Before this, worked as Professor & Head, Division of Genetics & Plant Breeding, CCHAU, Hisar from 2008-12. Having more than 40 years of experience in the field of Oilseed Brassica breeding research. Developed and released 13 varieties of Indian mustard and one variety of Sesame. The National release varieties namely RH 725, RH 749, RH 406 and Yellow Sarson variety YSH 401 developed by me as PI hold huge areas at farmers' fields and are very popular among farmers of Mustard growing states. Got registered 8 germplasm lines for key characters with NBPGR New Delhi. Completed 17 national and International projects and signed MoUs with ACIAR GRDC, and the University of Western Australia for the Brassica improvement in Australia, India and China, besides this, signed number of MoUs with national universities and private organizations for research and development. Received many prestigious awards namely the Mahindra Samridhi Award, and the Rajaya Bhasha Hindi Award, including Lifetime Achievement awards by the State Institute of Agriculture Rajasthan and the Society of Rapeseed- mustard Research for contribution to rapeseed-mustard improvement in the country. I am an active member of GCIRC, France and also chaired a technical session during 14 the IRC at Saskatoon, Canada in 2015. I have visited Canada, the USA, Denmark, Germany, Australia, China, Pakistan, Czech Republic and presented my research achievements. Published more than 135 research papers in International and National repute journals. I have made more than 200 presentations at National and International Symposium, Conferences, Seminars and Congress. I have been actively associated with the farmers since my association with the Brassica crop and am presently a consultant with the private seed organization at Meerut.

Dr. Gyanendra Singh has more than three decades experience of agriculture research that led to many milestones. Dr. Singh is instrumental in developing 30 wheat varieties (including 07 iofortified varieties), benefitting a large number of farmers, consumers, and industries. Three of these varieties (DBW 187, DBW 303 and DBW 222) are currently rated among the landmark wheat arieties of India that occupied around ~10 million hectares in India.

Awards and Recognitions: USAID Fellowship at MSU Mississippi, USA, Member, Scientific Advisory Committee of the PPV& FRA, New Delhi, VS Mathur Memorial Award 2020, Distinguished Scientist ward, SSDAT (2014), Fellow of SAWBAR, Karnal (2014) and ISGPB, New Delhi, 1991.

Dr. Kokate Kiran Dattatraya served as Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension) at ICAR, New Delhi from 2009-2014. Prior roles include various capacities at Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (MPKV), Rahuri, and Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Maharashtra. He has extensive experience in strategic, operational, and financial management, including leadership as the Deputy Director General. He significantly contributed to the KVK system by developing models, processes, and methodologies; improving infrastructure; and enhancing technical capacities to integrate KVKs with the National Agricultural Research System and global frameworks. He has authored over 375 publications including research papers, books, book chapters, technical bulletins, and extension literature.

He enhanced the ICAR's linkages with the USA, AAPARI, Ethiopia, and ASEAN. Notably, he organised the First GCWA with ICAR, APAARI, and various national and international co-sponsors, including TAAS, GFAR, The World Bank, IDRC, ADB, UK aid, ACIAR, the Australian Government Aid Programme, USAID, CGIAR, BMGF, and RAGA. In recognition of his excellence, Land Grant Universities (Prairie View A & M University, Texas; Alcorn State University, Mississippi) and the Mississippi Association of Cooperatives, USA, honoured him with a Certificate of Appreciation during national conferences of the US-County Extension program. The Chancellor of Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, India, conferred on him a "Doctor of Science" (Honoris Causa) for his distinguished work as an Administrator and Extension Specialist in Agricultural Extension in India. Additionally, the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), New Delhi, honoured him with the "Dr. M.S. Randhawa Memorial Award" for his significant contributions to Agricultural Administration, Technology Transfer, and Social Sciences.

• Established soybean processing and utilization centre (SPU) at CIAE, Bhopal during 1985-86 and worked as its Project Director upto October 2003 and trained and got more than 200 small scale soy based food entrepreneurs established who are now making and marketing nutritious and economical soya -products such as soy- dairy analogs, soya fortified baked and extruded products, etc
• 9.2 worked as an international consultant to APCAEM of UN- ESCAP in 1977 on PHT for women at Bangkok, Thailand and also.
• FAO- TCDC Consultant on SPU to Grain Legume Project in Myanmar in 2004.
• Dr. Ali also visited 11countries and participated in a number of International Meetings, Seminar and Conferences and presented invited papers.
• Dr. Ali has been awarded the Jwaharlal Nehru Award of the ICAR for his Ph.DThesis in 1977; ISAE Commendation Medals in 1985 and 1998 and ISAE Gold Medal in 2002. Dr. Ali also served the ISAE as its President during 2006-08.

Has been the President of the Indian Association of Agricultural Universities, New Delhi (2021-22); President of the IMS, Kolkata and ISMPP, Udaipur; Fellow of six scientific societies (IPS, ISMPP, IMS, ISST, ISNS, ISEPSA); Member of the ISTA Forest Tree Seed and Shrub Committee, ISTA Tree Seed Pathology Working Group, Switzerland, and American Phytopathological Society, USA; recipient of the Visiting Fellowship of the NSERC, Canada (1984-87); Visiting Scientist-ship of DANIDA, Denmark (1997-98); Man of the Year-1998 award by the ABI, USA; Prof. H.K. Barua Memorial Lecture Award (2006) by the IMS, Kolkata; National Education Award 2015 for Outstanding Contribution to Education by the ABP News; Prof. S.S. Chahal Life Time Achievement Award- 2019 by the ISMPP, Udaipur; Rajesh Pilot Memorial Award- 2019 and Hukum Singh Memorial Award- 2020 by Hi-Tech Horticultural Society; Honorary Fellow-2019 by the U.P. Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lucknow; Senior Consultant, TAAS, New Delhi; Lifetime Achievement Award- 2021 of ARIDSS, Meerut, and acted as Chairman/Member/Member Secretary of several academic and administrative committees of ICAR, ICAR institutes, agricultural universities, search-cum-selection of Vice Chancellors and others.

• Research projects were sanctioned by different funding agencies such as DBT, DST, ICAR, J&K Govt., etc. amounting to rupees more than 1770 lakh as Principal Investigator.
• Released and notified three basmati varieties such as Jammu Basmati 118, Jammu Basmati 123 and Jammu Basmati 138. Also involved in release and notification of several other varieties such as asmati 564, SJR 5 (Ist National variety of SKUAST-J), Basmati 129 and Mango.
• Developed SJBR 121 an improved version Ranbir Basmati pyramided with two genes for bacterial blight resistance (xa13 and Xa21) and one lodging tolerance (sd1) gene through molecular approach. imultaneously, the developed genetic stock has been deposited at NBPGR, New Delhi. Maintaining the germplasm of rice (basmati and non basmati), mustard, wheat and vegetable crops.
• Different Genomic data/Accessions have been deposited on NCBI
• 15 Bacterial as well as fungal isolates have been deposited to National Depositories
• Patent has also been filed (Ref./Application No. 202111033705).
• As Nodal Officer of IPR Cell SKUAST-Jammu actively associated with the registration of Geographical Indications (GIs) of Basmati, GI of Bhaderwah Rajmash, GI of Ramban Anadhana and GI of Doda ucchi. Besides also facilitated the scientists for filing the eight patents.

Awards
• Norman E. Borlaug Fellow, USA 2014
• BOYSCAST Fellowship, USA 2009-10
• Endeavour Executive Fellowship, Australia
• Star Scientist Award 2017
• Swedish International Development Agency Fellowship, Sweden 2013
• Awarded Chinese Government Scholarship 2006
• Travel Grant, Kirkhouse Trust United Kingdom 2013

• He has >50 years of research experience in hybrid technology in Maize & Bajra since 1973 with >40 years’ experience in maize R&D. He has developed >32 notified hybrids of maize and 4 notified hybrid/variety of pearl millet, which are the leading and most preferred hybrids by Indian farmers. He has developed more than 500 lines, out of which he has registered 55 inbred lines in maize and 2 restorer lines in pearl millet, pollen parent of 6 pearl millet hybrids including most popular and ruling hybrids like HHB-67 and HHB-68 at NBPGR that had been granted INGR numbers. He has distributed 500 inbred lines of maize to different AICRP centres which has advanced the research on single cross hybrids of all AICRP centres of the country by 6-7 years.
• He directed the public sector AICRP system on Maize to focus on ‘Single Cross Hybrid Technology’ that has become a benchmark for Indian maize breeding and improvement program for both public and private sector. He has the distinction of being the avante garde in specialty corn breeding in India.
• He has developed a series of high yielding and nutritionally superior QPM maize hybrids including HQPM-5, HQPM-7, HQPM-4, etc. and series of normal maize hybrids HM-1, HM-5, HM-8, HM-9, HM-10, HM-11, HM 12, HM 13 etc. He has developed India’s first yellow QPM single cross hybrid HQPM-1, the first public-bred baby corn single cross hybrid HM-4 and the first public-bred sweet corn single cross hybrid HSC-1, first public-bred white grain single cross hybrid HM-2.

• ICAR National Fellow (2014-2024)
• Dr. Barwale award for Excellence in PGR conferred by ISPGR (2019)
• Represented India in the FAO-ITPGRFA negotiations during the governing body meetings (2017, 2019, 2022, 2023); Appointed as Co-Chair of the Treaty Working Group on ‘Enhancement of the Multilateral System’.

I. Major Achievements: (i) Handled and implemented microirrigation development projects in more than 20 countries of South Asia, Southeast Asia, Middle-East and Africa; (ii) Implemented projects on emerging (4IR) technologies in collaboration with Agri-StartUps on Blockchain technology, Agrophotovoltaics, AI, IoT, Sensors, RS & GIS & Drone applications combined with drip irrigation and fertigation in agri-horticultural crops; (iii) Under my leadership as Vice Chancellor University received 13- Best Performace Awards and Institute of Excellence Award 2019 and started 4-colleges, 2-KVKs, 2-Research Stations and state-of-the-art physical & lab infrastructure; (iv) Developed a dedicated website for sugarcane growers (www. sugarcanecrops. com); (v) Developed digital agroknowledge material for 47 drip irrigated agriculture and horticulture crops.

II. Awards: (i) Academic Leadership Award (2020), (ii) 7th MS Swaminathan Award (2017–19), (iii) Best Leader with a Strategic Vision Award (2019), (iv) Best Vice Chancellor Award (2018), (v) Education Leadership Award (2018), (vi) Life Time Achievement Award from Soil and Water Conservation Society of India (2015) and Rythu Nestam (2018) for implementation of world’s largest microirrigation project in smallholder fields, (vii) NetAward from Netafim, Israel (2006), (viii) Leadership Award (2005), (ix) Meritorious Teacher Award, ANGRAU (1998) and (x) MASHAV Fellowship, Israel (1995) etc.

III. Recognitions: (i) Member of Governing Board, ICAR, (ii) President, Indian Society of Agronomy (2020-22), (iii) Secretary General, Indian Agricultural Universities Association, (iv) Member / Chairman of several Accreditation and ICAR Committees, (v) Member, Research Advisory Council, IARI; (vi) Chairman, Research Advisory Committee, ICAR-NIASM, Baramati; (vii) Currently International Consultant for Netafim, Israel / Netafim, India / Kaveri Seeds / TAFE / CII, Telangana; (viii) Fellowships of several Professional Bodies, etc

• Worked on innovative approaches to Zn nutrition of different crops and cropping systems viz. seed coating, foliar application, soil application + use of biofilm/consortia of biofertilizers led to not only increased productivity but also nutritional quality by increased Zn and crude protein content. Best Zn management in crops increased Zn concentration in wheat (11–29%), oats (8–43%), chickpea (17–53%), maize (10–22%), rice (11–43%), etc.
• Received the Bharat Ratna Dr. C. Subramaniam Award for Outstanding Teachers 2018 of ICAR; ICAR-IARI Best Teacher Award 2009; Sukumar Basu Memorial Award 2022–23; NAAS Associate Fellow (2007); NAAS Fellowship (2017); ISA Fellowship (2009); ISA Gold Medal 2021; ISPP Fellowship (2020); CWSS Fellowship (2020-21), ISEB Fellowship (2021); SAP Gold Medal–2015, IZA-FAI Award 2016, The Falvey Award 2016, FAI Golden Jubilee Award of Excellence 2012, FAI Shriram Puraskar 2012, 2015 & 2017.

• Developed 300 high yielding and disease and insect resistant varieties of rice which spearheaded Green Revolution in Rice.
• Elected member of: US National Academy of Sciences, Royal Society of London, Indian National Science Academy, Russian Academy of Sciences, Chinese academy of Sciences.
• Awarded: Japan Prize, World Food Prize, Wolf Prize, Rank Prize, Mahathir Science Award.
• Honorary Doctorate degrees: Honorary doctorate degrees from 16 universities including Cambridge University, Ohio State University, Macgill university and Punjab University and IARI.

Drr Gupta worked in ICAR for 36 yrs in different capacities- the last one being the Director of the IARI, New Delhi. Molecular crop breeding with special reference to biofortification has been his major area of specialization. During his stay at IARI, Dr Gupta initiated novel methods of ToT through NGOs and Inian post office. Later, he worked as inaugural Director General of the Borlaug Institute for South Asia. Dr Gupta’s contributions have been recognized by several awards and honors including honorary DSc. He currently chairs the Agriculture Commission of Assam and holds the presidency of the Indian Society of Seed Science and Technology.

• Vice Chancellor, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana June 2020-to-date
• Director Animal Husbandry, Punjab Nov. 2018-June 2020
• Director, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar May 2013-Nov. 2018
• Fellow, National Academy of Veterinary Sciences,
• Fellow, National Academy of Dairy Sciences
• Fellow, Indian Society for study of Animal Reproduction
• President / Vice President / General Secretary, Indian Society for Buffalo Development
• Standing Committee member and Executive Officer Asia, International Buffalo Federation

Professor J.K. Ladha devoted more than 35 years to aspects of sustainable management of agriculture and natural resources for increasing food security and environmental quality in developing countries. He served at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) from 1980 to 2017 was an adjunct senior scientist at the Columbia Univeristy until 2016. Currently, he is an Adjunct Professor in the Dept of Plant Sciences at the University of California-Davis.

Dr Ladha is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), American Society of Agronomy (ASA), the Soil Science Society of America (SSA), the Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), the Indian Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS), and an associate member of the Philippine Council of Agricultural Research (PARC). He is a recipient of several awards and honors notably, the Third World Academy of Sciences Agriculture Prize 2016, the International Crop Science Award 2015, the International Service in Agronomy Award 2011, International Soil Science Award 2010, International Plant Nutrition Institute Science Award 2009. In 2000 and 2004, the CGIAR awarded the Chairman’s Excellence Science Award for Outstanding Scientific Partnership and the prestigious King Baudoin Award for Outstanding Research to the Rice-Wheat Consortium in which Professor Ladha was the key scientist and IRRI’s coordinator.

Gopakumar Kumara Panicker
Post Doctoral Research,
Commonwealth Fellow , U. K. 1986
Visiting Scientist UK, 1984, !985.
Tropical Products Institutes, London, Metal Box, ( U. K., Retort Pouch Processing, 1984), ODNRI, UK( value added products). Member, Indo – Pacific Fisheries Commission( IPFC), Fish Technology and Marketing, of FAO of U. N, 1984-1997; Visiting Scientist, Natural Resources Institute, London, 1984, 1985, 1986; Joint Director,1984-91, Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) , Kochi; Director, 1991-97,CIFT, Kochi; Chief Technical Advisor ( Fish Processing) FAO of UN to Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Government of Philippines, Manila1994-95; Deputy Director General ( Fisheries),1997-2002, ICAR, New Delhi; Fisheries Consultant FAO of UN in Bangladesh 2005; IFAD Project Advisor in Bangladesh 2005, UN Mission Member, Sri Lanka, 2007, Advisor NFDB, 2008,Professor of Eminence, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Kochi, 2012- 2019.

Award/ Honours: ICAR Team Research Award, 1993; Rafi Ahamed Kidwai Memorial Award 1996; SL Hora Gold Medal 200; Society of Fisheries Technologist Award 2001; 14th Kwarizimi International Award from Islamic Republic of IRAN, 2001; VASVIK Award 2009; Outstanding Fisheries Research Award By Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean studies 2015.

Fellow:Fellow National Academy of Agricultural Sciences ( FNAAS) Institutes of Chemists India ( FIC), Society of Fisheries Technologists ( India); Inland Fisheries Association; Aquaculture Association of India.

Research Areas: Biochemistry, Microbiology, Fish Processing Technology, Food Science, Drugs from Marine organisms, Fish waste Utilization.

Published over 400 Scientific Research papers and 14 Books. Address; Nandanam , Cc 55/2696, Indraprastha Lane, Cheruparambath Road, Kadavanthara, Kochi- 682020,Kerala, India. (Mobile 91- 9447415415

Dr. M.L. Chadha, is Ph.D. in Horticulture (Vegetable Breeding) from PAU and post-doctorate from Hannover University, Germany. His contributions entitled him with a number of national and international awards; including the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai memorial award; World Vegetable Centre merit award, and ISHS medal in 2006, In 2007, a certificate of Scientific Achievement in Bangladesh. He was also felicitated for his contributions in India during, 2010, HSI-Sivashakthi Lifetime Achievement Award 2015 and All India Kitchen Garden Association (AIKGA) prestigious 2020 Gold Medal. He guided ten Ph.D. and M.Sc. students and has 215 publications.

• Technology development with the National Wheat Programs in CIMMYT Sothern Cone Region (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile,Paraguay and Uruguay) led to doubling of wheat production (12 to 24 million tons) between 1978 and 2004.
• Collaboration with Paraguay since 2003, transformed it from a wheat importing to exporting country.
• Resistance work on wheat Blast disease.
• Over 60 peer reviewed research articles and book chapters since 2010.
• Presidential Merit Award “Comendador”, Paraguay, 2023.
• National Science Award, Paraguay, 2002, 2020 and 2022.
• Doctorate Honoris Causa, University of San Carlos, 2011
• International Service Award, ASA, 2010

ICARDA Outstanding Services Achievement Award 1997; D.Sc.(h.c.) CS Azad Univ., Kanpur, 2001, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Univ., Meerut, 2003, and GB Pant Univ. of A&T, Pantnagar, 2007; Indian Society of Agronomy Gold Medal, 2001; Indian Society of Pulses Research and Development Gold Medal, 2003; TAAS Prof.M.S. Swaminathan Award for Leadership in Agriculture, 2012; Honorary Fellowship of the Crop Science Society of America, 2011; Lifetime Achievement Award, International Dryland Development Commission (IDDC), 2013. Life-time Achievement Award, Indian Soceity of Agronomy (2016); Lifetime Achievement Award, Indian Soceity of Pulses Research & Development (2017).

• Former Vice Chancellor, MPUAT, Udaipur, MLSU Udaipur and GGTU Banswara.
• Founder Vice Chancellor, SKNAU  Jobner
• Former DDG (Engineering) and DDG (Education) ICAR New Delhi
• Former National Director, World Bank project NAHEP, ICAR, New Delhi
• Former Dean CDFST, Dean CTAE and DSW MPUAT, Udaipur, Rajasthan
• Member, Rajasthan State Farmers Debt Relief Commission
• Lokpal, RAJUVAS, Bikaner
• Campus Director, Geetanjali Educational Society, Dabok, Udaipur

Total 39 Awards & Fellowship including Young Scientist award, Outstanding book award, Outstanding Services award, Commendation and Team award, Hindi Research Paper award, World Bank IDM award, Best Teacher award, Energy Conservation award, National Technology Day award, Global Dairy Innovation award etc. In all awards included i.e. Two International award, ten National award, one State award, ten Societal award, eleven Institutional awards and five Fellowships.

Pioneering work in the field of Soil testing and fertility. Recognition at the International Organization FAO of UN and World Bank. More than 70 publications. Award winning Faculty. Teaching Excellence awards

Significant achievements: Priority setting and impact of agricultural research; agricultural diversification; innovations in agricultural institutions; enhancing pulses production; food and nutritional security in South and Southeast Asian countries.

Recognitions:

• President, Agricultural Economics Research Association; Vice President, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Former Secretary and Foreign Secretary, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Former Treasurer and Member of the Executive Council of The Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences; Fellow, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Fellow, Indian Society of Agricultural Economics; Fellow, International Society of Nano Sciences; Hon. Fellow, Indian Society of Agricultural Engineering.
• Member of the core group of the Indian government’s “Right to Food” National Human Rights Commission; Member, ‘Lok Sabha Speaker’s Research Initiative’; Member of the Supreme Court constituted panel to review the farm laws;
• Member of a few state-level advisory committees on agriculture: (1) Andhra Water Vision 2020; (2) Karnataka on agricultural transformation; (3) Uttar Pradesh on UP Agriculture Development; (4) Uttarakhand on Uttarakhand Agriculture Development; (5) Punjab on Debt Waiving Task Force; (6) Jammu & Kashmir on Apex Committee on Agriculture; (7) Bihar on 4th Agriculture Road Map; and (8) Odisha on Agri-food system Transformation.
• Member, Governing Board of Asia Pacific Agricultural Policy (APAP) Forum; Former Chairman, SAARC Agriculture Centre; Chairman of the UN-CAPSA governing board in Bogor, Indonesia; Member of the BRICS-Agriculture sector (led policy group); Member of the intergovernmental panel on the World Bank’s International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development; Member of the International Steering Committee for the Climate Change, Agriculture, and Food Security Challenge Program, led by the CGIAR.
• Member of several RACs and QRTs of ICAR institutes.

Awards: Dr MS Randhawa Award of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences; Dr DK Desai Award of Indian Society of Agricultural Sciences; Lifetime Achievement Award of the Indian Society of Agricultural Economics; Life Time Achievement Award of the Pantnagar Alumni Almamater Advancement Association; and the Global Leadership Award by the Indian Chambers of Food and Agriculture.

• Graduate in Veterinary science and worked as Post-doctoral scientist in Genetics and genomics Division, Roslin Institute, Edinburgh, UK
• Project Coordinator: All India coordinated research project on Goat Improvement
• Research contributions are in the areas of Genetic diversity of livestock, conservation of animal genetic resources and management, Genetics of disease resistance, Genetics of heat stress regulation in livestock and milk proteomics. He has also worked in the area of conservation of endangered goats in their natural habitat.
• Established genetic origin of Indian goats
• Milk proteome database of tropical goats and bioactive peptides in milk.
• Phenomics for heat stress regulation in livestock.
• Conservation of endangered goats in their natural habitat.
• Guided 20 Ph.D, M.V.Sc and M.Sc. students.
• Published more than 150 research paper and h-index-29

Served the Indian Marine Fisheries sector as University faculty, Director of national fisheries institute, Member and acting Chairman of ASRB, International chartered consultant in India and several countries and international organizations, President /Chairman of several organizations, Elected Fellow of Zoological Society London, Linnean Society London, HLM of Asian Fisheries Society, Malaysia.

In his five decades of untiring work, Prof Khosla has shown an inspirational sense of institative and enterpreneurial acumen. Be it his vision of using science as a tool to empower the small farmer of Himachal Pradesh, or his emphasis on the research ot his passion to create a globally recognized and world class private university his thinking has been ahead of time and has always been followed up with reult-oriented action. His untiring effort have brought laurels to Shoolini which now stand at No. 1 amongst private universities in India. Worldwide, Shoolini is in the band of 351-400 universities.

Dr SK Jain, Born: 22.06.1958, superannuated: 30.06.2020; Fellow of ISST & ISPGR; served as Professor & Head - Seed Science & Technology and Coordinator Prof MS Swaminathan, NASL, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi; obtained his MSc degree from Meerut University; Post-graduate Certificate in Seed Technology for Genebank from RBG, Kew, UK and PhD from University of Delhi. Dr Jain is a scientist with a rich experience (over 42 years) in the field of Seed Science, particularly in seed quality assurance and ex-situ conservation of germplasm in Indian national genebank.

Dr Jain’s some salient achievements were: Purification of IARI five popular mustard varieties; identification of QTLs for soybean seed longevity; seed development & onset of germination in cucumber; identification of site for zero energy based ex situ conservation of germplasm; development of seed testing protocols & seed standards in uninvestigated spices/medicinal plants and flower seeds; and enhancing quality seed availability in mustard through FPP. His work in Indian national genebank (NBPGR) viz, repatriation (groundnut); restoration (rape-seed mustard); rationalization of oilseeds germplasm (based on passport data); preparation/execution of blue print for Indian national genebank (for short, medium & long-term seed storage); fabrication of tri-layered aluminum seed pouches needs mention.

Dr Jain also served as the Secretary & Chief Editor, Indian Society of Seed Technology (ISST); guided over a dozen PG students. He is panel reviewer on several scientific journals; member expert for selection/promotion committees up to Professor Grade; member - advisory committee Vigyan Pragati (a popular science magazine) and examiner (PhD thesis); paper setter, moderator for National, SAUs & Traditional Universities. He has over 240 publications to his credits.

Dr Jain is a strong believer of teamwork; had successfully conducted several international, national and regional training courses. He equally enjoys the responsibilities of extension education apart from his basic research, teaching and guiding PG students.

Currently, I am serving on Hon’ble Rajasthan Governor’s Advisory Board, Task Force on Hr. Edu. and National Level Monitor of DAHD, GoI. I served as Founder VC-RAJUVAS for over 7 years (2010- 2017) with 38 yrs of professional experience. In NIRF Ranking 2017 RAJUVAS secured 68 th Position, top in Rajasthan. I was recipient of National Scholarships till Ph.D., ICAR Team Research Gold Medal and Fellow of the five Professional Societies/Academies. Conferred Honorary “Colonel Commandant”. Served/serving in UGC-PRTs, ICAR- Review, Standing Committees, QRTs and PRTs, Search Committees of VCs of AU, Jodhpur, Kota, RAJUVAS, Bikaner, and NDVU, Jabalpur, Chancellor’s Nominee on BOM etc.

Raj Kumar Jat obtained PhD in Agronomy from CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India. Raj Kumar joined International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) in 2009 and later on witched to Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA) in 2011. He has more than 16 years’ experience of development and deployment of CA- Sustainable Intensification Practices and capacity building to several thousand farmers and partners. Currently he is working on the development of climate resilient cropping systems to address issues of resource degradation, abiotic stresses, and climate change issues in South Asia. His research outcomes influenced the high level policy planners to invest more on the Climate Smart Agriculture Practices. He developed several proposals (>20m USD) for climate resilient agriculture and implementing in Bihar and other states. Before joining CIMMYT he worked with CCS Haryana Agriculture University for 2 years on refinement and dissemination of CA based technologies. He has specialization in weed management during his MS and PhD degree.

An elected Fellow to multiple science and agriculture academies/societies in India, Germany, USA, Africa, and now the Royal Society in Great Britain. Recognized with >30 prestigious awards from USA, Germany, China, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Philippines, UAE, and Africa including the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award from Government of India, Crop Science Research Award and International Crop Science Award from USA, Qilu Friendship Award and the Science & Technology Partnership Award from China. Named Top Scientist in Agronomy & Crop Science Australia 2022, a Top 100 scientists in Asia 2022, among top 25 global researchers in 2021.

A PhD in Genetics and Plant Breeding from IARI, worked on groundnut genetic resources at (ICRISAT 1976-1989) and established World Groundnut Collection. He moved to IBPGR/IPGRI/Bioversity International and left it in 2007. He was Honorary Research Fellow with Bioversity International during 2008-2014.

His contributions include supporting studies on genetic diversity; promoting ex situ and in situ conservation and use of tropical fruits, underutilized crops, forest genetic resources for improving livelihoods of rural poor; use of modern technologies in genetic diversity studies; enhancement of utilization of conserved germplasm and human resource development, He assisted several countries in Asia and the Pacific to establish national PGR programmes. He has over 300 publications.

• Established the Academy of Agricultural Research and Education Management, the first training institution for teachers/scientists, among SAUs, in India at CCSHAU.
• Established the IPR Cell in the university and formulated the IPR policy of the university.
• Established a new university department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension
• Expert Member of the Task Force constituted by the state Government in February 2023, for preparation of the Farmers’ Welfare Policy of Haryana with Vision-2047. Draft submitted and is under review by the government.
• Established the Haryana Kisan Ayog (State Farmers’ Commission) as its founder Member–Secretary under the guidance of Padma Bhushan Dr. R.S.Paroda, Chairman of the Commission.

2005 Norman Borlaug Award by TAAS ,New Delhi,India; 2007 IPCC Nobel Peace Prize Certificate; 2009 M.S.Swaminathan Award TAAS,New Delhi; 2018 GCHERRA World Agriculture Prize,Nanjing China;2018 World Soil Prize,FAO,Rome,Italy;2019 Japan Prize,Tokyo,Japan;2019 U.S.Awasthi IFFCO Prize, India, 2020 World Food Prize Des Moines, IA,USA; 2020 B.P.Pal Award, ICAR,India,2020 Arrell Food Innovation Prize, Guelph, Canada;2021 Padma Shri Award, India; 2022 Mahatma Gandhi Environment Protection Award; 2023 and 2024 Globally Ranked #1 Scientist in Plant Science and Agronomy by Res.Com of Australia; 9 Honorary Degrees from around the world.

Contributed to the development of 52 varieties of legumes including short duration varieties of mung bean, urdbean, chickpea and lentil, biofortified varieties of lentil, low ODAP varieties of grasspea

published 331 research articles, 87 book chapters, 14 books, and 7 technical bulletins.

Received Rockefeller fellowship, Best Scientist award of IIPR in 2003 and 2008, Best Team award of MULLaRP in 2009, SURYA Recognition Award 2011, and the Excellence Award in the field of Pulses Improvement by the Indian Society of Pulses Research and Development (ISPRD) and ICAR- Indian Institution of Pulses and Research (ICAR-IIPR) in 2023.

Awarded Commonwealth Post Doctoral Fellowship, Commonwealth Academic Staff Fellowship, Marie ,Curie European Commission Fellowship and Royal Society and INSA International Collaborative Award, NAAS, FNASc ,Rastriya Udyog Ratan Award, Vice-President, ISPGR. Played an important advisory role in planning and implementation of several research programmes of the country by being Chairman and ember of several Research Advisory Committees of major funding Ministries/Departments/Councils. Also office bearer and member of several National/International professional bodies and visited about 5 countries. Commissioned and steered National and International projects and developed collaboration with organisations both nationally and internationally.

Significant contributions to agricultural development with focus on R&D policy, IPRs and seed industry, sustainable systems and ecosystem services, organizational reforms and evelopment.

Awards: Rafi Ahmad Kidwai Award, Fellow NAAS & ISAE, President Elect ISAE, Norman Borlaug Science Fellowship (USDA), Chair Editorial Board of Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics, Secretary AERA, Member of different committees of the Government

One to initiative the first Carbon farming project in India in the smallholder farming systems at Grow Indigo. Earlier at Mahyco, India’s leading seed company, as Research Director, was esponsible for all activities including biotech crop development.