It deeply saddens us to announce that former ICAR Director-General, Professor Virender Lal Chopra passed away on Saturday at New Delhi. A Padma Bhushan recipient, Chopra was a renowned name in the field of agricultural research and technology and is remembered for his immense contribution to agriculture science.
Born in 1936, Chopra was a biotechnologist, geneticist, and agriculturalist who was widely known for his contribution to the development of wheat production in India. He was the chancellor of the Central University of Kerala, a former Chancellor of the Central Agricultural University, Imphal and a former member of the Planning Commission of India. He was also an elected fellow of various science academies including Indian National Science Academy, Indian Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, National Academy of Sciences, The World Academy of Sciences, and European Academy of Sciences and Arts.
Talking about his accomplishments, he was a recipient of several honors including Borlaug Award, FAO World Food Day Award, and Om Prakash Bhasin Award and the third highest civilian honor of the Padma Bhushan, in 1985, for his contributions to agricultural science.
Chopra had also penned down many books and articles on plant breeding and genetics such as Plant Breeding: Theory and Practice, Applied genetics, and Applied Plant Biotechnology along with others.
As a media house wherein we leave no stone unturned to make agriculture sciences reach every corner of the world, we pay homage to the sad demise of Late Shri Virender Lal Chopra and are immensely grateful for his contribution to the global agricultural industry.
Heartfelt Condolences to the family and friends from Krishi Jagran team.
