ICAR-VPKAS Director Dr. Lakshmi Kant Receives Prestigious Dr. B. R. Barwale Award 2023

We are delighted to announce that Dr. Lakshmi Kant, Director of ICAR-VPKAS, has been honored with the esteemed “Dr. B. R. Barwale Award 2023” by the Indian Society of Plant Genetic Resources (ISPGR), New Delhi. The award was presented on October 23, 2024, during the inaugural ceremony of the National Conference on Managing Agro-biodiversity in North Eastern India (NCMAN), held at ICAR RCNEH, Umiam, Shillong from 213-25 October, 2024. Dr. Lakshmi Kant received this recognition from the Honourable Governor of Meghalaya, Shri C. H. Vijayashankar, in the presence of eminent guests, including Padma Bhushan Dr. R. S. Paroda, former Secretary DARE and Director General ICAR; Dr. T. Mohapatra, Chairperson, Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare; Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Chairman, ASRB, DARE, New Delhi; Dr. Bajat Barua, former DDG AS, ICAR; and other distinguished dignitaries. The entire staff of ICAR-VPKAS congratulates Dr. Lakshmi Kant on this outstanding achievement, celebrating his dedication and contributions to the field of application/ Excellence plant genetic resources (PGR).

Instituted in 2017, the Dr. B. R. Barwale Award for Application/Excellence in Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) was established to honor scientists and researchers who have made significant contributions in PGR science or application. This includes areas such as collecting, characterization, evaluation, conservation, and utilization of PGR, such as the development of new varieties and other advancements in PGR management. The award aims to encourage mid-level scientists in the PGR field. Dr. Kant maintained and evaluated around 3,454 winter & facultative wheat germplasm (largest in the country). Till date he has developed 20 high yielding rust resistant varieties, including 15 of wheat & 05 of barely, which have demonstrated the potential to increase productivity by 30-40% on average in farmers’ fields. Among those the dual-purpose wheat green fodder cum grain) has brought significant recognition to the institute. Besides late sown variety, VL Gehun 892 and timely sown variety VL Gehun 907 are the other most predominant popular varieties in the zone and are still being used as national check. He has also registered 09 genetic stocks. VL Cookies is the latest variety developed by his team which is best for biscuit making in the country. He has also been involved in identification of 2 novel yellow rust resistant genes Yr66 & Yr77. Dr. Kant has published total 93 research papers in peer reviewed Journals including on utilization of winter wheat germplasm for improving spring wheat.