Eminent Indian scientist Sanjaya Rajaram has been awarded the World Food Prize in recognition of his significant contributions to global wheat production.
Sanjaya Rajaram was born in Varanasi and he is a veteran plant scientist currently in Mexico. He has been recognized for his scientific research that led to a prodigious increase in world wheat production (1.3 per cent rise in global wheat production per annum).
Mr. Rajaram, currently a Senior Scientific Advisor at the International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), has developed some 480 wheat varieties that have been released in 51 countries across six continents and an estimated 58 million hectares.
Conceived by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Norman Borlaug, World Food Prize emphasizes the importance of a nutritious and sustainable food supply for all people. Borlaug saw the prize as a means of establishing role models who would inspire others.
M.S. Swaminathan was the first recipient of this award in 1987. The selection of Dr. Rajaram is being billed significant as this year marked the centenary year of Dr. Borlaug. Regarded as the most prestigious award in the area of food and agriculture, the Prize, carries a cash prize of $ 250,000.
Source Hindu