ICAR Scientist Dr D Puthira Prathap Wins Prestigious Tamil Nadu Scientist Award for Agricultural Research

Dr. D Puthira Prathap, Principal Scientist at the ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, has been awarded the prestigious Tamil Nadu Scientist Award for 2021 under the Social Sciences category. This honor, presented by the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology, Government of Tamil Nadu, recognizes Dr. Prathap's outstanding contributions to the agricultural and rural development sectors. The award comes with a cash prize of Rs. 50,000 and a citation.

Dr. Prathap's career, which began with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in 1995, spans over 26 years. His work has had a lasting impact on agricultural technology dissemination and rural development, particularly in Tamil Nadu. His innovative approaches have influenced the decision-making processes of farmers engaged in sugarcane, sheep, and rabbit farming, particularly through modern extension methods.

Currently serving as the Chief Editor of two reputable journals—Journal of Extension Education and Journal of Sugarcane Research—Dr. Prathap is a leading figure in agricultural research. He has spearheaded numerous initiatives, including the creation of Canelnfo, an award-winning, user-friendly website that connects agricultural stakeholders with essential knowledge and resources.

One of Dr. Prathap's most significant achievements was leading the Farmers Participatory Action Research Project. This initiative greatly enhanced sugarcane productivity, improved profitability for farmers, and conserved approximately 19% of water resources. The project also produced the Soil Moisture Indicator (SMI), a device that won First Prize in the National Water Awards in 2019, organized by the Ministry of Water Resources. This device also earned the TERI-IWA-UNDP Water Sustainability Award in 2021 for excellence in water use efficiency in agriculture.

In addition to his research, Dr. Prathap has been actively involved in empowering rural communities through mass media and ICT diffusion. He has worked closely with rural women and youth, particularly in underprivileged districts of Tamil Nadu. His efforts to assess and address the needs of the Malasar, Mala Malasar, and Urali tribes in the Anamalai and Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserves have significantly contributed to their development and welfare.

Dr. Prathap's academic and professional journey has been marked by numerous awards, including the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for Outstanding Postgraduate Research in 2005, the Best Telecentre Initiative award for the Canelnfo portal, and various recognitions for his multimedia instructional modules and international collaborations.