Dr. Ram Chet Chaudhary, the Chairman of the Participatory Rural Development Foundation (PRDF) in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India, has dedicated over five decades to agricultural research and rural development. Born and raised in Gorakhpur, he completed his early education locally before pursuing higher studies in agriculture. Dr. Chaudhary holds a Ph.D. in Genetics and Plant Breeding from the University of Agra, and he further honed his expertise with post-doctoral research in Germany and the Philippines. His academic journey began in 1969 when he joined GBPUAT Pantnagar, India, as an Assistant Professor, eventually rising to Associate Professor and Associate Director of CRC. In 1979, he moved to DRCRAU Pusa, Bihar, as Chief Scientist, Professor, and Director, and from 1984 to 1988, he served as a Rice Specialist at the World Bank in Nigeria.

Dr. Chaudhary then worked with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) from 1988 to 1997, where he held the position of Plant Breeder and Global Coordinator for INGER. His tenure with the United Nations’ FAO lasted from 1997 to 2006 as Chief Technical Advisor and Project Manager. Since 2007, he has been serving as Chairman of PRDF, an organization focused on promoting sustainable agricultural practices in the region. Throughout his career, he has worked in over 40 countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, and Latin America, partnering with renowned organizations such as IRRI, FAO, UNDP, and the EU. His contributions to plant breeding are significant, having developed 150 rice varieties worldwide, including the notable Kalanamak KN3 in 2010, as well as its semi-dwarf variants. His organization’s PRDF Seeds has gained recognition for its quality. Under his leadership, PRDF has also become a Regional Council of NCOF Ghaziabad for organic certification, working on projects related to organic production and bio-fortification.

His work has been widely acknowledged, with over 34 books and manuals, along with 300 research papers and popular articles. His book Introduction to Plant Breeding, published by Oxford in 2014, is particularly influential and was awarded the Dr. Rajendra Prasad Award by ICAR in 2020. He has received more than 25 national and international awards for his scientific and social contributions. Some of his prestigious recognitions include the Life Time Achievement Award from the Biographical Institute, Cambridge (1999), the Gold Medal from the Prime Minister of Cambodia (2000), and the Kalanamak Saviour Award (2014).

In addition, he has been honored with several awards for his work in fighting malnutrition, environmental conservation, and his role in rural upliftment. He is an active member of numerous professional societies, including the Rice Research Workers Association of India, the Indian Society of Plant Genetic Resources, and the Crop Science Society of America. He also serves on various boards, including the Board of Management at MANAGE, Hyderabad, and the NBPGR Board on Germplasm, New Delhi. His commitment to agricultural development is not only academic but also practical. He has played a pivotal role in the promotion of Kalanamak rice, a unique variety from the region, and is actively involved in its research and development.

His work also extends to bio-fortification projects aimed at combating Vitamin A deficiency through the promotion of golden sweet potato. The impact of his work continues to resonate across the agricultural and rural development sectors in India and beyond. In addition to his scientific work, his contributions to social causes and his long-standing efforts to improve rural livelihoods have earned him a distinguished reputation. He remains a leader with a strategic vision, advocating for the sustainable development of rural communities and ensuring the benefits of his research reach those in need.

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