TAAS Invites Nominations for Borlaug Innovative Farmer and S.K. Vasal Crop Hybrid Research Awards

The Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS) has invited nominations for the 2026 editions of the Dr Norman E. Borlaug Innovative Farmer Award and the Dr S.K. Vasal Award for Excellence in Crop Hybrid Research. Eligible applicants and institutions can submit nominations in the prescribed format by July 15, 2026, through email or registered post/courier.

Instituted in 2024, the Dr Norman E. Borlaug Innovative Farmer Award recognises farmers from South Asia who have developed and successfully disseminated innovative agricultural technologies or farming practices that have led to higher productivity, improved produce quality, increased farm income and a reduced environmental footprint.

The award honours the contribution of Dr Norman E. Borlaug, widely regarded as the Father of the Green Revolution, whose work on high-yielding wheat varieties and improved production technologies played a significant role in transforming agriculture in South Asia. Established through an endowment created from contributions by TAAS members, the award carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, along with a citation and a plaque, and is presented annually.

According to TAAS, the award aims to encourage the adoption and dissemination of sustainable agricultural practices that contribute to long-term food and nutritional security while addressing the challenges posed by climate change. Both women and men farmers from South Asian countries are eligible, provided their innovations have demonstrated measurable impact. Applications may be submitted either by the farmers themselves or through a nominator associated with agricultural research, development, education or policy institutions.

TAAS has also invited nominations for the Dr S.K. Vasal Award for Excellence in Crop Hybrid Research, which recognises outstanding contributions by Indian scientists in developing promising crop hybrids and innovative hybrid breeding strategies.

Renowned plant breeder Dr. S.K. Vasal.

The award commemorates Dr Surinder K. Vasal, an internationally renowned maize breeder and recipient of the World Food Prize for his pioneering work on Quality Protein Maize (QPM). Instituted in 2024 through an endowment contributed by Dr Vasal, the award seeks to promote research that can enhance crop productivity and strengthen food security.

The award is open to Indian scientists who are 55 years of age or below on the date of the award announcement. It also carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, along with a citation and a plaque. Applications must be submitted through the proper institutional channel and be recommended by the head of the applicant's institution.

TAAS said both awards are intended to recognise excellence in agricultural innovation, at the farm level as well as in scientific research, and encourage wider adoption of technologies and practices that support sustainable agricultural development.

For more details please refer TAAS website.