Srinagar |Oct, 23: Dr. Zahoor Ahmad Dar, a Professor at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), has been honored with the Dr. S. K. Vasal Award for Excellence in Maize Research. This accolade recognizes his significant contributions to maize improvement, climate resilience, and biofortification.
The award will be presented at the 1st International Maize Conference-2026 in Hyderabad from November 2 to 4. Dr. Dar’s research has led to the development of 38 maize varieties that are cultivated over 80,000 hectares in India, demonstrating the substantial impact of his work on agricultural productivity. His focus on creating high-yielding, climate-resilient, and nutritionally enhanced maize varieties addresses critical agricultural challenges and bolsters food and nutritional security. With over 300 research papers published in various journals, he has also played a vital role in externally funded research projects and the registration of maize germplasm with the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR). Additionally, he has mentored maize research programs under the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) across multiple states and has served on the editorial boards of 12 scientific journals. In expressing his gratitude for this recognition, Dr. Dar acknowledged the support of his family, colleagues, students, and the administration at SKUAST-K, particularly the Vice-Chancellor. This award not only highlights Dr. Dar’s individual achievements but also underscores SKUAST-K’s contributions to advancing maize research and developing improved varieties suited to various agro-climatic conditions in India.
