National Academy Of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) - Dr, NGP Rao Endowment Award in Crop Sciences
Dr. N.G.P. Rao Endowment Award in Crop Sciences: The award will be given to an outstanding scientist for contributions in the area of crop sciences.
Dr Neelamraju Ganga Prasada Rao was a distinguished agriculture scientist and a national professor of eminence. His contributions in the field of plant breeding and genetics have positively impacted crop production methods around the world, laid the foundations for commercial seed industry in India, and have inspired many young scientists to actively pursue research in agricultural sciences. Dr NGP Rao strived for excellence in all his endeavors and was fondly referred to as “Father of Hybrid Sorghum“. His simple life style, was enriched by godly devotion and spiritual pursuits drawing on Indian spiritual and cultural ethos.
The NGP Rao Foundation will carry forward the legacy of Dr. NGP Rao, by recognizing talent and promoting research, knowledge, innovation and enterprise that sustainably increases food security and farmer prosperity, for the enablement of more fulfilling lives of individuals and society.
SORGHUM & MILLETS RESERACH AWARDS
The SOCIETY FOR MILLETS RESEARCH, ICAR- Indian Institute of Millets Research (ICAR_IIMR), Hyderabad, has instituted Biennial “NGP RAO MEMORIAL AWARD” for Lifetime Achievement for contributions to advancing research and innovation in nutricereals; Sorghum, Pearl Millet and Small Millets. In addition, Annual NGP Rao Memorial Lecture will also be organized on his Birthday, 5th September Every Year.
Conferment of “NGP RAO MEMORIAL LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD” by
Dr. Raj Paroda, Dr. Jaqueline Hughes, Dr.Tilak Raj Sharma and Mr. Bhupen Dubey
The 2021′ recipients of the NGP Rao Memorial award are:
1. Dr. Bhanwar Singh Rana — for Sorghum Improvement: Ex-Director – IIMR, Hyderabad (formerly National Research Centre for Sorghum)
2. Dr. Annada Seetharam – for Small Millets Improvement: Ex-Project Coordinator (AICRP on Small Millets) UAS, Bengaluru
3. Dr. Kedar Nath Rai – for Pearl Millet Improvement: Ex-Group Leader in Pearl Millet Improvement Program, ICRISAT
The award includes a citation and cash prize of Rs. 1.0 lakh each
Dedication of IIMR crop work facility as “NGP RAO CROP IMPROVEMENT
CENTRE”
NAAS – Crop Sciences Award: For Outstanding Contributions in the Area of Crop Sciences.
Dr. A.T. Sadashiva Receiving the Dr. NGP Rao Endowment Award for Outstanding Contributions in the Area of Crop Sciences (2019).
2020 Farm Tech – INVESTING REPORT (external link)
Green Revolution – Golden Jubilee, IARI, New Delhi (2017)
“Dr NGP Rao is remembered by his students and colleagues as a rare scientist, educator, teacher, mentor, philosopher and above all, a simple human being who valued knowledge the most for the benefit of society and all its constituents.”
Academic and Research Achievements: Dr NGP Rao was well-known for basic and applied research in breeding and agronomy of several dry land crops. Due to his contributions to sorghum improvements in India and other arid and semi arid climates of the world, he was referred to as Father of Hybrid Sorghum. The sorghum hybrids CSH1, CSH5 and CSH9 became very popular and were cultivated over 10 million hectares… more
Dr NGP Rao was born in Korisapadu (Prakasam District, AP state) and obtained his BSc (Agriculture) from the College of Agriculture, Bapatla, Andhra University, Post-graduation from Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) with a first rank; and PhD in 1968. He was also awarded DSc (hc) by the Chandrasekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology. He held the positions of Sorghum Breeder, IARI; All India Sorghum Improvement Project Coordinator and Head, IARI Regional station at Hyderabad; Professor of Eminence; ICRISAT’s Sorghum Breeder in West Africa; Vice-Chancellor, Marathwada Agricultural University; and Chairman, Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board, New Delhi. Dr NGP Rao taught the subjects ‘plant breeding and genetics’. Several students’ obtained MSc and PhD degrees under his supervision.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neelamraju_Ganga_Prasada_Rao
Dr. NGP Rao’s contributions in the field of plant breeding and genetics have positively impacted crop production methods around the world and laid the foundations for commercial seed industry in India and other arid and semi arid regions of the world. They inspired many seed companies and farmers to explore new ideas and methods, and to actively pursue sustainable growth.
Dr NGP Rao strongly believed in the value of new ideas and innovative enterprises as key to improvement of crop and farm yields, needed for enhancing the productivity of the farmers.