Rice breeder gets coveted PAU award
The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has bestowed the coveted “Dr GS Khush Distinguished Professor Chair Award” upon Gurjit Singh Mangat, principal rice breeder.
With 35 years of expertise in rice breeding, Mangat has played a pivotal role in the development and introduction of 33 rice varieties, impacting the agricultural landscape in Punjab and surrounding states.
Rice plays a vital role in ensuring national food security and the northern state of Punjab and Haryana are among the primary producers.
However, in recent times, the sustainability of rice cultivation has faced challenges of depleting natural resources, particularly groundwater, residue management, resistance to biotic stresses and grain quality.
PAU officials said the honour recognises Mangat’s leadership in the development of short-duration, low-biomass rice cultivars, which contributed to recommendation of 13 rice varieties over the past decade.
Congratulating Mangat, PAU Vice-Chancellor Satbir Singh Gosal said the adoption of these varieties has led to a quantum jump in productivity and production of rice in the state.
Applauding Mangat’s contribution to food security, AS Dhatt, Director of Research, said there has been a 12.49 per cent increase in the average statewide paddy yield over the past decade.
“Mangat led multi-institutional projects, mentored postgraduate students and contributed to the scientific community through research publications in high impact journals,” he added.
