Madhu, Mangala, Pushpa and Vikram are not names of people but some of the best paddy varieties developed by this year’s Padmashree Awardee. ‘Paddy Mahadevappa’ as he is popularly referred to, Prof M Mahadevappa, is among those few agriculture scientists who have pioneered hybrid rice farming in the country.
Hailing from a poor family, Mahadevappa was the only one to complete SSLC from his village Madapura in Chamarajanagar taluk. Unable to get an engineering seat, he joined the Bachelor’s degree in agriculture as he was good at sericulture in his younger days.
After his PhD in 1960 and realising that research on rice was vital to maintain food security, in the past 35 years, the scientist developed nine improved rice varieties. Among them Intan and Madhu are two of the prestigious rice varieties mainly for the hilly and tank fed regions of Karnataka. The two varieties have alone given the State exchequer Rs 335 crore ever since their release in 1972. Mangala was another fast growing and high yielding hybrid that was taken up in the State over a large area.
His research on rice also led him to the prestigious International Rice Research Institute in Manila where he had a brief stint as a visiting scientist.
Realising the potential of biotechnology to meet the challenges of food security, he initiated the setting up of a separate biotechnology and seed technology departments in the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore and Dharwad way back in the eighties. He believes that research does not end. There is a need to constantly modify and re-orient research to suit present conditions.
About the ruckus on the ill effects of genetically modified crops, he points out “GM crops are needed. They are not evil but biosafety measures are a must.” However, the scientist is sceptical about MNCs and public sector seed companies. As a safeguard for farmers from getting cheated, the professor has started a pilot project on the lines of the self-help groups- called as seed groups in some villages in the State. Unemployed youth in the selected villages are being trained in producing quality hybrid seeds to be sold for farmers within and neighbouring villages.
Another major contribution to Indian agriculture has been the development of a technique to manage weeds such as parthenium. This has been referred as the integrated parthenium weed management which has been used extensively in the State.
His contributions to science and the art of agriculture however did not go unnoticed. He has received several awards including the Watumull Foundation Award, the Hooker Award and Sir Chotturam National Award. Recently, the State also honoured him with the Rajyothsava Award.
He has served on several committees related to agriculture both at the State and National sphere including the Indian Council for Agricultural Research. Recently, Mahedavappa as the chairman of Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board, brought transparency in recruitment and helped expedite the process of academic promotions in line with the Parliamentary Committee.
During his career has a teacher and scientist, he has encouraged his students and colleagues to contribute to agricultural science.
Hailing from a poor family, Mahadevappa was the only one to complete SSLC from his village Madapura in Chamarajanagar taluk. Unable to get an engineering seat, he joined the Bachelor’s degree in agriculture as he was good at sericulture in his younger days.
After his PhD in 1960 and realising that research on rice was vital to maintain food security, in the past 35 years, the scientist developed nine improved rice varieties. Among them Intan and Madhu are two of the prestigious rice varieties mainly for the hilly and tank fed regions of Karnataka. The two varieties have alone given the State exchequer Rs 335 crore ever since their release in 1972. Mangala was another fast growing and high yielding hybrid that was taken up in the State over a large area.
His research on rice also led him to the prestigious International Rice Research Institute in Manila where he had a brief stint as a visiting scientist.
Realising the potential of biotechnology to meet the challenges of food security, he initiated the setting up of a separate biotechnology and seed technology departments in the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore and Dharwad way back in the eighties. He believes that research does not end. There is a need to constantly modify and re-orient research to suit present conditions.
About the ruckus on the ill effects of genetically modified crops, he points out “GM crops are needed. They are not evil but biosafety measures are a must.” However, the scientist is sceptical about MNCs and public sector seed companies. As a safeguard for farmers from getting cheated, the professor has started a pilot project on the lines of the self-help groups- called as seed groups in some villages in the State. Unemployed youth in the selected villages are being trained in producing quality hybrid seeds to be sold for farmers within and neighbouring villages.
Another major contribution to Indian agriculture has been the development of a technique to manage weeds such as parthenium. This has been referred as the integrated parthenium weed management which has been used extensively in the State.
His contributions to science and the art of agriculture however did not go unnoticed. He has received several awards including the Watumull Foundation Award, the Hooker Award and Sir Chotturam National Award. Recently, the State also honoured him with the Rajyothsava Award.
He has served on several committees related to agriculture both at the State and National sphere including the Indian Council for Agricultural Research. Recently, Mahedavappa as the chairman of Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board, brought transparency in recruitment and helped expedite the process of academic promotions in line with the Parliamentary Committee.
During his career has a teacher and scientist, he has encouraged his students and colleagues to contribute to agricultural science.
This interview appeared in Deccan Herald on 15th February, 2005
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