Raj S Paroda
Global Advisory Board
Former ICAR Director General
Paroda is the Founding Chairman of Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS) and former Director General of ICAR. He has received several national and international awards and recognitions, including the Padma Bhushan award in 1998. He was elected as General President of the prestigious Indian Science Congress in 2000-2001. Among international recognitions, he was elected Fellow of Agricultural Academies of Russia, Georgia, Armenia, and the Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS). Paroda is globally recognised for his contributions in the field of plant breeding and genetic resource management. He spearheaded and modernised the national agricultural research system (NARS) as Director General, ICAR and Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education, GoI. He was instrumental in establishing the Asia Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions at FAO, Bangkok, and is the first Indian to have served as Chairman of ICRISAT Board of Trustees.