Indian wins 2014 World Food Prize
A Renowned wheat scientist, Dr Sanjaya Rajaram, has been awarded the coveted World Food Prize 2014 for his marvelous works in wheat production across the world.
Dr Rajaram, an Indian who has resided in Mexico for a greater part of his life, bred an impressive 480 varieties of wheat to provide nutritious grains resistant to rust disease and adaptable in a vast array of climates, which have helped protect the global food supply and fed more people.
At a colourful ceremony held in the Iowa legislature, the wheat breeder, who has spent his life developing the varieties of the staple crop, was awarded the prize in front of an international audience comprising crop and soil scientists, farmers, selected agricultural journalists across the world among many others at the Iowa State Capital in Des Moines.
Dr Rajaram’s research is said to have led to a prodigious increase in world wheat production — by more than 200 million tonnes.
His crossing of winter and spring wheat varieties, which were distinct gene pools that had been isolated from one another for hundreds of years, led to the development of plants that have higher yields and dependability under a wide range of environments around the world. He also developed wheat varieties, which are resistant to the rust disease that can wipe out entire fields, thus protecting the world's food supply.
"This award honours the resilience and innovative spirit of farmers in the developing world and the national agricultural systems," Dr Rajaram said as he accepted the award.
"Without their contributions, my research would not have been possible. The mission was, and the mission remains, to serve them," he said.
The World Food Prize culminated the centennial year of its founder Dr Norman Borlaug, recognised as the world’s most respected wheat breeder.
It was also to coincide with the celebration of the World Food Day and the UN-FAO’s International Year of Family Farming.
The President of The World Food Prize, Dr Kenneth M. Quinn, said “Dr Rajaram worked closely with Dr Borlaug, succeeding him as head of the wheat breeding programme at International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) in Mexico, and then carried forward and expanded upon his work, breaking new ground with his own invaluable achievements.”
He said, “it was an honour to recognise Dr Rajaram for his development of an astounding 480 varieties of wheat, bred to offer higher yields, resistance to the catastrophic rust disease and that thrive in a wide array of climates.”
About Dr Rajaram
Born in a small village in India, Dr Rajaram worked to the top in his class as he moved through school, and dedicated his life to making direct improvements for farmers and all people who depend on agriculture. Now a citizen of Mexico, Dr Rajaram conducted the majority of his research in Mexico at the CIMMYT.
Dr Rajaram developed an astounding 480 wheat varieties that have been released in 51 countries on six continents and have been widely adopted by small- and large-scale farmers alike.
Dr Rajaram is currently the Director of Resource Seeds International and a consultant to International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA).