Dr. Sujay Rakshit, Director ICAR-IIAB, Garhkhatanga, Ranchi honored with the first Dr SK Vasal Award for Excellence in Hybrid Crop Research for 2024
Ranchi: Dr. Sujay Rakshit, director of ICAR-IIAB, Ranchi, an accomplished maize breeder and also made significant contributions in combining conventional and molecular breeding towards improvement of maize and other crops including sorghum, minor millets, rice and pulses has been bestowed with Dr. S K Vasal Award 2024 by The Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences on December 20, 2024 for
his significant contribution in Hybrid Crop Research.
The award was handed over by Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson, MSSRF, Chennai, in the presence of Dr R.S. Paroda and Dr Trilochan Mohapatra in a ceremony organized at NAAS Auditorium, New Delhi. Dr Rakshit has released 23 maize hybrids out of which 6 hybrids have been licensed to private seed companies for commercial seed production and marketing. He played key role in release of the first MAS-derived low phytate maize hybrid in India and has registered 24 maize donors for various traits with National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR).
His leadership in starting heterotic grouping of the active breeding lines in national programme, and systematic characterization of the maize germplasm in the national genebank of NBPGR, have given new direction to the maize hybrid programme of India. He also played a key role in establishing and strengthening hybrid maize seed production hub in West Bengal. He deployed DNA markers to understand the diversity, population structure of the germplasm, and to identify genomic regions/QTLs for various traits.
His concerted efforts on quality improvement of maize has led to not only release of 23 bio fortified maize hybrids but also understanding the underlying biochemical phenomenon behind these traits, paving the way for better deployment. His role in understanding the mechanism and genetics of resistance against various biotic and abiotic stresses had great impact on developing better varieties of maize.
Dr. Rakshit contributed in development of efficient regeneration and transformation protocols in tropical maize, which has paved the path for transgenic and genome editing research in maize in India. He developed the DUS Testing Guidelines for Maize in India, which is in use by PPV&FRA since 2007. His leadership role in managing the challenge of invasive pest, fall armyworm in 2018 onwards deserves special mention. Under his leadership the nation crossed the 3.0 t/ha mark in productivity of maize.
Dr Rakshit is fellow of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) and National Academy of Science India (NASI), and is recipient of the many prestigious awards and recognitions such as NAAS Recognition Award, Dr BR Barwade Award, NEEDEF Agriculture Leadership Award, Dr AB Joshi Award, Kalaya Krishnamurty National Award among others.
