Dr. Boddupalli Maruthi Prasanna has been awarded the prestigious Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Award for Leadership in Agriculture for 2024 by the Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS). This lifetime achievement award recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to agricultural research, food security, and sustainability, reflecting the legacy of Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, the pioneer of India’s Green Revolution.
The award was presented to Dr. Prasanna on December 20, 2024, at the National Agricultural Science Complex (NASC) in New Delhi. The ceremony was graced by Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, daughter of Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, and Dr. R.S. Paroda, President of TAAS. This recognition highlights Dr. Prasanna’s outstanding leadership and his global impact on agriculture over the course of his illustrious career.
Adding to his incredible list of accolades, Dr. Prasanna was also honored with the prestigious Shanghai Magnolia Silver Award for 2024. This international recognition was presented to him on November 23, 2024, further underscoring his significant contributions to global agricultural research and leadership.
Dr. Prasanna, currently the Director of the Global Maize Program (GMP) at CIMMYT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center) in Nairobi, Kenya, has dedicated his career to advancing food security and agricultural sustainability. He leads multi-institutional projects focused on developing and deploying stress-resilient and nutritionally enriched maize varieties across sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, and Latin America. His work also emphasizes the application of cutting-edge genetic tools and technologies to enhance breeding efficiency and genetic gains.
Born on August 31, 1965, in Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh, Dr. Prasanna’s academic journey is both inspiring and remarkable. He completed his B.Sc. in Agriculture from Agricultural College, Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University, in 1985. He went on to earn his M.Sc. in 1987 and Ph.D. in 1991 from the prestigious Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi. These early achievements laid the foundation for his illustrious career in agricultural science and leadership.
Since 2010, Dr. Prasanna has served as the Director of CIMMYT’s Global Maize Program, and he has recently taken on additional responsibilities as the OneCGIAR Global Maize Breeding Leader and the OneCGIAR Plant Health Initiative Leader. These roles underline his pivotal contributions to addressing global challenges in agriculture and food systems, particularly in maize breeding and plant health.
The Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Award and the Shanghai Magnolia Silver Award are fitting acknowledgments of Dr. Prasanna’s tireless efforts and lifetime dedication to improving agriculture and ensuring food security. His achievements inspire agricultural scientists and leaders worldwide to pursue innovation and collaboration for a more sustainable future.
Congratulations to Dr. B.M. Prasanna for these well-deserved recognitions! His leadership and contributions to global agriculture continue to pave the way for transformative advancements in the field.