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Dr Vibha Dhawan is Director General of TERI – The Energy and Resources Institute & holds a Ph.D. in Biotechnology and is a recognized leader in sustainability. She has led groundbreaking research on climate solutions, agriculture, and energy systems and has driven policies and practices that promote environmental stewardship

Dr Vibha Dhawan’s long association with The Energy and Resources Institute dates back to 1985. During 2005-2007 she led TERI School of Advanced Studies in the capacity of Vice-Chancellor. She is a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, India and is currently also serving as an Adjunct Professor, at Consul General South Asia Partnership, Michigan State University. Being driven by a deep academic and research interest, Dr Dhawan has authored 6 books and over 50 publications, which have added immense value in scientific research.

Dr Dhawan’s thought leadership and engagement in research as well as policy development, both at the national and international level is widely acknowledged. She is currently a task force member of National Committees with the Department of Biotechnology, the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council, and the Biotech Consortium India. Dr Dhawan is currently a member of the Networks Strategy Council that advises Sustainable Development Solutions Network – a global initiative for the United Nations and was previously the Co-Chair of the T20 Task Force 4 on Refuelling Growth: Clean Energy and Green Transitions. Under her able leadership, the National Centre of Excellence in Green Port & Shipping, in collaboration with Indian Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, was established at TERI campus.

She played a pivotal role as Co-ordinator for the Asia Pacific Consortium on Agriculture Biotechnology (APCoAB); as Advisor to the Director General, The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) as well as Deputy Director, Research Partnerships & Co-ordination with the Borlaug Institute for South Asia. She has served on the boards of prestigious organizations in India and overseas including Jawahar Lal Nehru University, Ambedkar University, Ayurvet Foundation and Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI).

Dr Dhawan was instrumental in establishing the highly successful Micropropagation Technology Park at TERI. Her other major achievements include developing e-contents for the post-graduate programme in biotechnology for the University Grants Commission. Her recent research interests are in the area of biofuels.

She was the key lead for the DBT-TERI Centre on Integrated Production of Advanced Biofuels and Biocommodities. Her role as an advisor to the Late Tarun Gogoi, the former Chief Minister of Assam specifically in the field of Bioresources and Biotechnology is worth placing on record.

The honour bestowed upon Dr Dhawan as one of Game-Changers from India by H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mabarak Al Nahayan, a respected Cabinet Member and the Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence in the UAE is another feather in her cap. She has been also conferred with the Woman in Agriculture Award, and Social Impact Leadership Award in 2023. Several other awards Dr Dhawan won include Indian Women Achievers Sammaan 2017 by NRI Achievers; Women Leadership Agriculture Award 2016 by the Indian Council of Food & Agriculture; First Biotech Product and Process Development and Commercialization Award of the Department of Biotechnology in 2000, the Kamal Kumari National Award for Science and Technology and the first All India Biotech Association (AIBA) award in 1998.

Dr Vibha Dhawan is Director General of

Agbiologicals, Agro Universities, Biofertilizers

TERI also inaugurated a new facility for production of Bio nano fertiliser with a capacity of 40 lac litre per annum.

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in collaboration with Chambal Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited, launched ‘Uttam Pranaam’ – Bio nano Phosphorous, a significant product towards fostering self-reliance in the agricultural sector. ‘Uttam Pranaam’, an innovative solution that not only aligns with the PM-PRANAM programme’s emphasis on nano-fertilisers but also embodies the spirit of indigenous innovation and sustainability. TERI’s commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity while ensuring environmental safety resonates with the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat, where farmers have access to cutting-edge technologies for sustainable and profitable farming practices.

Collaboration brings forth bio nano Phosphorous fertiliser, promising enhanced productivity, reduced environmental impact, and empowerment for farmers nationwide. Nano fertilisers with their tiny size improve plant uptake and nutrient assimilation by up to 95 per cent. By reducing the use of conventional fertilisers up to 25-30 per cent, nano fertilisers enhance the crop yield and resistance to stress.

TERI also inaugurated a new facility for production of Bio nano fertiliser. With a capacity of 40 lac litre per annum, the facility is one of its kind where nano fertilisers would be produced using a biological process and a disruptive fermentation technology. The capacity can easily be scalable to 2 crore litre per annum within just a short period of 3 months. The facility was inaugurated by Dr Dhawan and her team from TERI, accompanied by Mr Vinay Pal Jain, Managing Director, Hindustan Rasayan Private Limited. The launch of ‘Uttam Pranaam’ Bio nano Phosphorous fertiliser by TERI and Chambal Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited marks a transformative step towards sustainable agriculture, echoing India’s commitment to innovation and self-reliance in the agricultural sector.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI, said, “These fertilisers will help to reduce the GHG emissions which are adversely impacting the environment. Green fertilisers are an alternative that the world is looking for, and nano fertilisers offer this opportunity. TERI is proud to have come up with a product that will help the planet reduce the GHG emissions.”

Ashish Srivastava, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Chambal Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited, unveiled the product highlighting, “Uttam Pranaam is not just a fertiliser; it’s a game-changer. Its biologically safe formulation doesn’t just reduce energy consumption, it revolutionizes it. By significantly slashing transportation costs, this innovation becomes more than just cost-effective; it becomes the catalyst for empowerment in the hands of our farmers.”

Bio nano Phosphorous has been developed by Dr Pushplata Singh and her team from TERI’s Deakin Nano Biotechnology centre. The launch of the Bio nano Phosphorous, under the brand name, ‘Uttam Pranaam’, launched in Bhatinda, Punjab, marks a significant milestone in agricultural innovation. As Punjab boasts a progressive farming community, this launch serves as a beacon of hope and opportunity for farmers nationwide. It sets a precedent for the adoption of advanced agricultural technologies across the country, promising increased productivity, sustainability, and prosperity for farming communities nationwide.

TERI also inaugurated a new facility for