Norman E Borlaug award announced

The Norman E Borlaug award, constituted by Coromandel Fertilisers (part of $1.5 billion Murugappa Group), will be given to R S Paroda, a plant breeder and organiser-administrator of research in agriculture.

The award that carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, a gold medal and a citation, was instituted in the 70s to recognise outstanding contribution in agriculture and environment by Indian scientists.

Paroda, a Padma Bhushan, retired as secretary, Department of Agricultural Research Education and director general of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. He helped in formulating the Vision 2020 document in the field of agriculture.

Addressing the media, V Ravichandran, president, Coromandel Fertilisers Limited, said, "The Coromandel Lecture and the Borlaug award event will be held on January 5, 2006 at the 93rd Indian Science Congress meet at Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University.

This is the first time that the lecture and the award event are being held in Hyderabad. President, A P J Abdul Kalam, who will be present at the meet, is likely to give away the award."

Jacques Diouf, director general of Food and Agriculture Organisation, Italy, will deliver the Coromandel Lecture on 'Sustainable food security and rural prosperity'.