The Hindu : Honorary doctorate for farm scientists

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 07, 2003

National

National

Honorary doctorate for farm scientists

By G. Venkataramani

CHENNAI Dec. 6. Distinguished agricultural scientists, Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, Chairman, M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), Chennai, Dr. R.S. Paroda, former Director-General, Indian Council of Agriculture (ICAR), Dr. Mangla Rai, Director-General, ICAR, and Dr. Ronald P. Cantrell, Director-General, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines, were among the seven farm scientists and social workers to be awarded a honorary doctorate by the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology in Uttar Pradesh recently.

Dr. M.C. Saxena, Assistant Director-General of the International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Aleppo, Syria, the social and religious activist, Swami Kalian Doe Jig, and the social worker, Jadish Prasad Mother, were also conferred the honorary degree.

"It is truly an honour to share with such giants of agricultural research and social welfare this recognition from such a fine university," said Dr. Cantrell. The honour was in recognition of his guidance of IRRI's outstanding collaboration with university scientists to develop new technologies to improve the lives and social status of Indian farmers.

Although IRRI's relationship with Patel University is as new as the university (formed in 2000) itself, the institute has enjoyed a long and rewarding experience of collaboration with its parent institution, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology in Pantnagar, Uttaranchal.

"We have carried on this highly productive and useful work with Patel University, especially in the area of rice-wheat systems," said Dr. Cantrell.

"I am confident that our future discoveries and successes will be at least as valuable as our part-collaborative achievements. Working together, we will ensure the continued food security of India and the improved livelihood security of her rice farmers today and for many years to come."

Potential areas of collaboration between IRRI and the University include training and participation in the Rice Knowledge Bank, development of farmer-participatory research techniques and statistical tools, integrated nutrient and pest management in the rice-wheat system and the exchange of germplasm and breeding lines.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National