Biotech Centre honors cotton mavericks for advancing high-tech cotton in North India

Dr Rishi Kumar, head and principal scientist of the regional research station (RRS) of ICAR- Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR) Sirsa along with three cotton professionals bagged accolades from the architect of cotton production Dr Charudatta Mayee and Dr Prasad YG, Director, ICAR- Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR), in the presence of Bhagirath Choudhary, Founder Director of South Asia Biotechnology Centre, Jodhpur along with130 progressive farmers from seven cotton-growing districts of the North cotton growing zone on 16 Sept 2024. Four outstanding individuals representing both public and private sectors were awarded certificate of appreciation for their exemplary work, perseverance and tenacity to advance high-tech cotton production in North cotton growing zone in Kharif 2024-25. The award ceremony was part of the Farmers-Scientists interaction to promote high tech cotton cultivation which was organized as part of Project Bandhan, supported by PI Foundation, and implemented by South Asia Biotechnology Centre under the technical supervision of the ICAR- Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR) Nagpur, on 16th September 2024 at the High-Tech Cotton Demonstration in village Gindran, Sirsa district of Haryana.

Dr Charudatta Mayee and Dr Prasad YG awarded certificate of appreciation to Dr Rishi Kumar for being the best cotton scientist to support the cause of smallholder cotton growers in North cotton growing zone whereas the certificate of appreciation was presented to Sh Rajvir Rathi for being the best industry champion to support the cause of smallholder farmers of India. Rajvir Rathi of Bayer Crop Science has been championing the policy ecosystem with a new paradigm as a vice chairman of Federation of Indian Seed Industry (FSII). Moreover, Sh Subhash Thete received the honour, accepted by Sh Abhijit Tathe for being the best PI Industries champion to support the successful implementation of “Project Bandhan – A Knot of PBW Protection” in India. Finally, DeePak JakHar, research scientist of South Asia Biotechnology Centre has been awarded the certificate of appreciation by Dr Mayee and Dr Prasad for being the best employee of SABC to successfully implement Project Bandhan in North cotton growing zone of India in Kharif 2024-25.
South Asia Biotechnology Centre has been implementing an ambitious Project Bandhan to popularize mating disruption PBKnot technology in 7 clusters in North cotton growing zone covering Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan and supported by PI Foundation under the technical guidance of ICAR- Central Institute for Cotton Research to help the cotton-producing farmers and to revive cotton production in North India.

Hearty Congratulations to Dr Rishi Kumar, Rajvir Rathi, Subhash Thete and Deepak Jakhar!!
Source: BiotechCentre