This pioneering initiative, designed to empower female PhD students in Agronomy and Soil Science and facilitate their transition into the corporate world.

Yara India, a subsidiary of Yara International and the world’s leading crop nutrition company, today proudly announced and celebrated the five exceptional recipients of its first-ever Women in Agronomy Scholar Award 2025-26. This pioneering initiative, designed to empower female PhD students in Agronomy and Soil Science and facilitate their transition into the corporate world, saw its initial vision of supporting five scholars expanded due to the overwhelming talent and potential showcased by the applicants. The esteemed awardees are Ruchi Rajpoot from The Rani Lakshmibai Central Agricultural University; Meka Kalyani from Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University; Dharani S from Kerala Agricultural University; Gobikashri N. from Pondicherry University; and Barsha Mansingh from CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University.

Each of these inspiring women has earned a substantial USD 1500 financial grant, aimed at supporting their tuition, research activities, or living expenses. Beyond the monetary award, the program delivers a comprehensive six-month research mentorship program in 2026, offering guidance on advanced research methods, industry trends, and the critical link between academic work and real-world corporate impact directly from Yara’s R&D experts. This includes visibility into diverse career paths within Yara, providing a holistic platform to strengthen both their academic and professional journeys.

Speaking on the initiative, Sanjiv Kanwar, Managing Director, Yara South Asia, said, “We are immensely proud to recognise these five brilliant young women who embody the future of agricultural innovation in India. The Women in Agronomy Scholar Award is a testament to our commitment to nurturing academic excellence, fostering gender diversity, and bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and practical application in agriculture. Their dedication and hard work are an inspiration, and we are confident they will drive significant advancements in sustainable Indian agriculture. This initiative reinforces our belief that ‘Knowledge grows’ when we empower the brightest minds.”

“This initiative signals the direction we want to take as a company and as an industry. When more women take part in the decisions and innovations that shape agriculture, the entire value chain becomes more resilient, productive and competitive. Investing in these students reinforces what we stand for: knowledge as the engine of innovation, and equity as a fundamental condition for sustainable progress” says Rejane Souza, Senior Vice President, Global Innovation, Yara International.

The selection process involved a rigorous review by a dedicated Yara Committee, followed by virtual interviews with Yara lead experts. The final awardees, chosen from a competitive pool of applicants, were selected based on their academic merit, the relevance of their research, their interview performance, and their clear motivation to contribute to the agricultural sector. This program underscores Yara India’s deep commitment to empowering the next generation of female leaders, ensuring their critical role in shaping a more sustainable and prosperous future for Indian agriculture.