While Dr R Sai Kumar is the Director of Directorate of Maize Research, at ICAR (Indian Council for Agriculture Research), Dr N Shobha Rani is the Principal Scientist & Head, Crop Improvement Section at Directorate of Rice Research.
Dr R Sai Kumar was nominated for outstanding work done by him as a maize breeder in the development and release of 14 maize hybrids and varieties and Dr N Shobha Rani was nominated for the M S Swaminathan award for her outstanding contribution to Genetic Enhancement of Basmati and other Quality rice varieties that lead to higher productivity, the statement said.
The award, which carries a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh, a medal and a citation, was presented by Dr Jayaprakash Narayan, MLA and president of Loksatta Party and Dr William Dar, Director General of ICRISAT.
The award was jointly presented today by the Retired Indian Council for Agriculture Research Employees Association (RICAREA) and Nuziveedu Seeds, India's largest seed company, a statement from Nuziveedu Seeds said.
MVS Sastry, President, RICAREA said, the work done by the two outstanding scientists have significantly helped in increasing the production of maize and rice in the country.
"We are really proud to be presenting this award to them. It reflects the spirit of innovation and hard work that is put by the agricultural scientists in the country, which will definitely have a long term impact in ensuring the food security of the nation apart from providing significant economic gains to farmers and the economy as a whole," Sastry said.
Mandava Prabhakar Rao, Chairman and Managing Director, Nuziveedu Seeds Private Ltd, which sponsors the awards, said, "We are very proud to be associated with such a prestigious award because as a company, we place a great deal of importance in the role of innovation in furthering the agricultural future of this country."