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HomePosts Tagged "International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)"
AgroPolicy, Animal Health, India, People, R&D

Dr Surinder Kumar Vasal is a distinguished Indian geneticist and plant breeder, and alumni of IARI, New Delhi.

 The government of India conferred Padma Shri award to Dr Surinder Kumar Vasal for his contributions to agriculture in the fields of science and engineering.

Born in Amritsar, Punjab, on 12 April 1938, Dr Surinder completed B.Sc. from Khalsa College, Amritsar in 1957 and M.Sc. from Kanpur Agricultural College in 1959.  He has completed his Ph.D. from IARI in 1966 and also Post-doctoral Fellow, CIMMYT, Mexico, 1970.

 Dr Surinder Kumar Vasal is a distinguished scientist, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Mexico to date. Dr Surinder Kumar Vasal is a distinguished Indian geneticist and plant breeder, and alumni of IARI, New Delhi. He is renowned for development of Quality Protein Maize (QPM), while working at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Mexico. Dr Vasal worked with biochemist Dr Evangelina Villegas for 35 years to develop a protein enriched form of maize in the 1970s. The QPM is created by adding protein to low nutrient corn and is referenced as “miracle maize” because of its role in alleviating malnourishment.

 He worked as Research Assistant in 1959-66, and Assistant Botanist Maize-cum-Assistant Professor in 1966-67, Department of Agriculture, H.P; Research Associate, Rockefeller Foundation, Thailand, 1967. He worked as International Staff in 1971-84 and as Germplasm Coordinator in 1985-90. Dr Surinder worked as Coordinator Lowland Tropical in 1991-98, Maize Program at CIMMYT, Mexico.

Dr Surinder Kumar has received many prestigious awards at international level. He has received La Asociacion Mexicana de Semilleros ‘Premio Cesar Garza’ Award in 1993; International Service in Crop Science Award, in 1996; International Agronomy Award in 1999; World Food Prize in 2000 and Dr M.S. Swaminathan Award by TAAS. Dr Surinder is a Fellow of American Society of Agronomy; Crop Science Society of America.

Dr Surinder Kumar Vasal is a distinguished

Agro Universities, Company News, R&D

The scholarship embodies joint commitment of CIMMYT and DCM Shriram to nurture next generation of researchers and foster innovation in agricultural sciences.

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) unveiled the bust of Dr Sanjaya Rajaram – One of world’s most influential wheat breeders and World Food Prize Laureate and– at the DialogueNEXT conference, held at CIMMYT, Mexico on 10-11 July 2024. This momentous event featured the launch of the ‘Rajaram-DCM Shriram Scholarship,’ aimed at fostering the next generation of agricultural scientists while honouring Dr. Rajaram’s legacy.

‘Rajaram-DCM Shriram Scholarship’ is a result of a long and fruitful association between CIMMYT and DCM Shriram Ltd reflecting their shared vision to help farmers achieve higher productivity in wheat. The scholarship embodies their joint commitment to nurture next generation of researchers and foster innovation in agricultural sciences. The unveiling of Dr Rajaram’s bust is a tribute to his enduring influence in agriculture and lifelong dedication to improving global food systems.

Sanjay Chhabra, Executive Director and Business Head, states, “All of us, at DCM Shriram, are proud of our fruitful association with CIMMYT and with Dr Rajaram. The Wheat Seed Development Program at DCM Shriram is driven by Dr Rajaram’s passion and it continues to deliver superior wheat varieties to the Indian farmers.”

Anand Shriram, Senior Vice President, adds, “We, at DCM Shriram, are extremely delighted to have contributed to building this memorial bust of Dr Rajaram and in setting up the “Rajaram – DCM Shriram Scholarship” to help young scientists upgrade their skills. It will not only offer financial support to outstanding students focused on research and innovation in crop improvement but also inspire aspiring scientists through the profound legacy of Dr Rajaram.”

The scholarship embodies joint commitment of CIMMYT