Manila, Philippines (18 October 2023) ~ Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director General of the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), was given an Award of Appreciation by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) for his leadership in advancing world-class science in rice-based food systems in India and around the world and his long-standing partnership with IRRI.
Dr. Pathak is the Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and serves as the Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in New Delhi. In his role, Dr. Pathak provides visionary leadership to one of the world's largest agricultural research and development organizations. He is an alumnus of IRRI. At IRRI, he served as Co-Facilitator of the Rice-Wheat Consortium of the Indo-Gangetic Plains. Before becoming DG of ICAR, he served ICAR in different capacities such as Director of ICAR-National Rice Research Institute in Odisha and the Director of ICAR-National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management in Maharashtra, India.
“With over three decades of expertise in agricultural research, education, and extension, Dr. Pathak is a true luminary in the field,” said Dr. Ajay Kohli, Interim Director General of IRRI. “His profound knowledge in research on rice-based systems and climate change positions him as a key asset, where his insights will be instrumental in shaping strategic recommendations and implementing resilient rice systems in the face of climate challenges.”
The award was given during the IRRI-India’s contribution to rice food and nutritional security, a special session at the 6th International Rice Congress that showcased the role and achievements of the country’s rice agencies and programs separately and in collaboration with IRRI.
Also at the award presentation were IRRI officials Ms. Joanna Kane-Potaka, Deputy Director General for Strategy, Engagement, and Impact; Dr. Sudhanshu Singh, Director of the IRRI South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC), and Dr. Nese Sreenivasulu, IRRI-India research coordinator and leader of the Consumer-Driven Grain Quality and Nutrition Unit.