Odia scientist Dr Swati Nayak has been named the recipient of the 2023 Norman E. Borlaug Award for field research and application for her work in the field of food and nutrition.
Key points
- The award was instituted by the World Food Prize Foundation, and is named in honour of Nobel Laureate and Green Revolution’s chief architect Dr. Norman E Borlaug.
- This $10,000 award recognizes exceptional, science-based achievement in international agriculture and food production by an individual under the age of 40.
- Dr Nayak is a scientist and South Asia Lead for Seed System and Product Management at International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).
- She was selected for the award for her innovative approach to engaging farmers in demand-driven rice seed systems.
- She is the third Indian and first Odia to receive the award.
- In Odisha, Nayak and her team formulated a strategy for introducing the drought-tolerant rice variety ‘Shahabhagi Dhan’ which remains an integral part of every farm family’s diet and crop rotation. For this, she is referred to by the local communities as ‘Bihana Didi’.
