Crop Science and Plant Breeding

Dr. B. P. Pal (1906–1989)

• First Indian Director-General of ICAR.
• Contributed immensely to wheat and rose breeding.
• Founded the Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding.
• Awarded Padma Vibhushan for his contribution to agricultural research.

Dr. R. H. Richharia

• Renowned rice scientist from Madhya Pradesh.
• Conserved thousands of indigenous rice varieties of India.
• Worked for the preservation of genetic diversity in rice.

Dr. E. A. Siddiq

• Known for his work on hybrid rice development in India.
• Contributed to increasing productivity and sustainability in rice cultivation.

Dr. C. D. Mayee

• Contributed significantly to cotton improvement and integrated pest management (IPM).
• Former Chairman of Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB).

Dr. Gurdev Singh Khush

• Indian-origin rice breeder at IRRI (Philippines).
• Developed more than 300 high-yielding rice varieties, including IR36 and IR64.
• Received World Food Prize (1996).

Dr. D. R. Bhumbla

• Soil scientist who contributed to research on saline and alkaline soils.
• Played a key role in the reclamation of salt-affected lands in India.

Soil Science and Fertility Management

Dr. S. P. Raychaudhuri

• Father of Soil Science in India.
• Founder of the Indian Society of Soil Science.
• Worked extensively on soil fertility, classification, and management.

Dr. N. P. Avasthi: Pioneer in fertilizer use efficiency and soil nutrient management.

Dr. A. K. Sarkar: Contributed to studies on micronutrients and soil-plant relationships.

Dr. R. L. Aggarwal: Recognized for work on micronutrient deficiencies in Indian soils.

Irrigation, Water Management, and Dryland Agriculture

• V. A. Parthasarathy: Contributed to sustainable horticulture and water management practices.
• Mohan Singh Mehta: Pioneer in community development and agricultural extension education.
• D. R. Singh: Known for his research in agricultural communication, diffusion, and adoption of innovations.
• V. M. Rao: Economist who worked on rural credit systems and agricultural development planning.
• K. N. Singh: Extension education expert who emphasized participatory rural appraisal (PRA) techniques.
• H. P. Singh: Former DDG (Horticulture), ICAR. Instrumental in developing the National Horticulture Mission.
• S. K. Mitra: Known for postharvest management and fruit crop improvement.
• K. V. Peter: Made major contributions to vegetable breeding, particularly in spices and tuber crops. Former Director, Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR).
• Amrita Patel: Former Chairperson of NDDB after Verghese Kurien. Led Operation Flood Phase III and strengthened the cooperative dairy model.
• M. M. Singh: Noted for cattle breeding and improving milk yield through crossbreeding programs.
• A. R. Pandey; Expert in animal nutrition and fodder production.
• V. G. Jhingran: Known as the Father of Inland Fisheries in India. Authored the book “Fish and Fisheries of India.”
• V. M. Dandekar; Developed methods for crop forecasting and agricultural statistics.
• Deepak Pental: Developed transgenic mustard (GM mustard) in India. Former Vice-Chancellor, Delhi University.
• P. Ananda Kumar: Scientist behind Bt brinjal development in India.

International Agricultural Scientists

Dr. Peter Jennings (USA) Developed IR8 rice, known as “Miracle Rice,” at IRRI, which revolutionized Asian agriculture.

Dr. Robert Fraley (USA): Key scientist in the development of genetically modified crops (Monsanto).

Dr. Monty Jones (Sierra Leone): Discovered NERICA (New Rice for Africa) varieties—hybrids between African and Asian rice species.

• Awarded World Food Prize (2004).