National Academy of Agricultural Sciences

Dr. Prem Lal Gautam
FELLOW, ELECTED 2001

Born in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, India on 12 December 1947. Graduated from Himachal Agriculture College, Solan, Punjab University 1968; M.Sc. 1970 and Ph.D. 1974 from Indian Agricultural Research Institute.

Junior Research Officer (Wheat Breeding), 1974-79; Associate Professor (Plant Breeding), 1979-85; Joint Director (Research and Extension)/ Associate Dean, Hill Campus, Ranichauri, 1985-91 and Vice-Chancellor, G.B.Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand 2002-07 (two terms) and concurrently Managing Director Uttrachal Seeds &TDC Pantnagar; Dean, College of Forestry, Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Nauni Solan, H.P., 1991-97; Director, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, 1997-2000; National Director, National Agricultural Technology Project, 2000-02; Deputy Director General (Crop Science), Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, 2007-08; Chairman, National Biodiversity Authority, Chennai, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change Govt. of India 2008-10; Chairperson, Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmers' Rights Authority, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, 2010-12. Vice Chancellor Career Point University 2012-14 & 2015-18. Presently, Prof. Gautam is Pro-Chancellor, Career Point University, Hamirpur (since 2018) and Chancellor of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur Bihar (Oct 2023 to Oct 2028). Presently, Chancellor of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur (Bihar) and Pro-chancellor Career Point University Hamirpur (HP).

Reserch & Education works: Associated with the development of 12 improved crop varieties in bread wheat, foxtail millet, soybean, rice bean, amaranth and buckwheat. Played noteworthy role in augmentation of plant germplasm in the national gene bank including, inter alia, mounting of special explorations. Contributed to the national policy action plan on agro biodiversity dialogues before and after the enactment of Biological Diversity and Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Right Acts of India. Served as, Mission Leader, NATP Projects on Agro biodiversity Management, Food & Nutritional Security Missions and National Project Director, India-UNDP project on Strengthening of institutional mechanisms for implementation of Biological Diversity Act. As a passionate popular teacher, he has taught UG and PG courses in Genetics and Plant Breeding and guided thesis research work of M.Sc. and Ph.D. students. His publications cover the fields of Agriculture, Genetics & Plant Breeding, Plant Genetic Resources and Biodiversity.

International experience: Served as member of Indian delegations for negotiations and meetings of International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food & Agriculture and UN Convention on Biological Diversity. Elected as co-chair, representing the Asian region, of the Bureau for the 5th Session of International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources of the FAO. Member, Executive Board of Global Crop Diversity Trust, 2014-2019.

Peer recognitions: Fellow Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding; Indian Society of Plant Genetic Resources; National Academy of Biological Sciences; International Society for Noni Science and National Academy of Hoticultural Sciences.He was President of prestigious Indian Societies of Genetics &Plant Breeding (ISG&PB) and Plant Genetic Resources (ISPGR) and Vice Chairman, Trust for Advancement Agricultural Sciences..He hasServed as Chairman/ member of different committees of ICAR, SAUs, Central / State Governments. Presently he ismember of University Council of SKUAST, Jammu, Board of Management of C.S.G. University of Horticulture & Forestry Bharsar (Uttrakhand), and ICAR committee for transforming ICAR deemed Universities as multidisciplinary education and research universities (MERUs).

Awards/Honours: Dr.S Radhakrishnan Education Excellence Award 2018 (Indian Institute of Oriental Heritage, Kolkata); Certificate and plaque of Recognition2017 for development of landmark wheat variety UP 262 (Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding, New Delhi); AgricultralAmit Krishi Rishi Award 2016 (Lt, Amit Singh Memorial Foundation New Delhi); Life Time Achievement Award 2012 (Society for Mobilization for sustainable development N Delhi ); Leadership Award 2011 (Agriculture Today), Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award 2010 (All India National Unity Conference, New Delhi); Eminent Citizen of India Award 2006 (International Institute of Education Management N Delhi); Rashtryiya Samman Purskar 2006 (Indian Society for Industry Intellectual Development New Delhi); Jewel of India Award 2006 (National Indian Solidarity Council New Delhi); Dr.Harbhajan Singh Memorial Award 2001-02 (Indian Society of Plant Genetic Resources), Panjab University Chandigarh Medal 1968 and Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial Gold Medal 1968 (Himachal Agricultural College Solan HP).

He has also been conferred honoris causa Doctorate of Science degree by ND University of Agriculture and Technology Faizabad, UP (2018) and SKUAST Jammu (2022) for noteworthy contributions as an institution builder, teacher, researcher, research manager and guide.

Research Areas: Genetics and plant breeding, plant genetic resources, biodiversity and IPR

Address: House No. 118, Housing Board Colony, Bindraban, District: Kangra, Palampur 176061, Himachal Pradesh; [Tel: Cell: 9459376233, 7018322344; Email: plgautam47@gmail.com]

Vice-President 1 Jan, 2013 to 31 Dec, 2015; Dr. A.B. Joshi Memorial Lecture Award 2023-2024