India
June 2011

Indian Society for Cotton Improvement (ISCI) at Central Institute for Cotton Technology, Mumbai felicitated Mr. Parchuri Vidyasagar by conferring Honorary Fellowship Award of ISCI in appreciation of his outstanding contribution to the development and popularization of Long staple Bt-Cotton in India. Padmashri Dharmadhikari, Honourable former Chief Justice of Maharashtra High Court, Mumbai as Chief Guest presented the award to Mr. P. Vidyasagar in the function organized specially for this occasion on 9th June 2011 at Silver Jubilee Auditorium at CIRCOT. Citation was read out by Dr. C. D. Mayee, Chairman ASRB New Delhi and Parchuri Vidyasagar was honoured with citation, silver plaque, shawl and Shriphal.

On this occasion, Parchuri Vidyasagar delivered Dr. V. Sundaram Memorial Lecture-2011 on “Cotton Improvement in India - Contribution & Perspectives of Private Seed Industry” by bringing out significant contributions of both Public sector and Private Seed Industry and the special role played by seed industry in contributing to intensification of white gold revolution in the 21st century through development of superior yielding Long Staple Bt-transgenic hybrid cottons and supplying high quality seeds to cotton growers. Parchuri Vidyasagar also brought out the need for new germplasm supply from CICR for diversifying the genetic base by private industry, need for attention to new areas of research in anatomy, pest & disease resistance, drought and salinity tolerance and fibre quality to develop third generation super hybrid cottons to break yield barriers. The speaker also spoke about progress in testing & introduction of the advanced herbicide resistance technology and also researches undertaken by the Vibha Seeds Group for development of cotton genotypes with suitable phenotypes for mechanical harvesting apart from need to develop economical hybrid seed production through genetic and biotechnological approaches involving less labour as India may need 4 to 6 times more hybrid seeds for planting. While concluding his speech, Parchuri Vidyasagar expressed the need for frequent inter-phase of textile industry with seed industry for effective progress in cotton and textiles production.
 

Website: http://www.vibhaseeds.com

Published: June 11, 2011