Dr. Hari D. Upadhyaya from the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has received the Global Legacy Award, along with six other scientists, for exceptional contribution through his work on preservation of crop diversity.
Upadhyaya is currently based at ICRISAT’s HQ in Hyderabad as Head, Genebank, and Principal Scientist. He has received several international awards in recognition of his contribution to the field of seed conservation and promotion of crop diversity.
He started his career as a postdoctoral fellow at ICRISAT and then moved as Groundnut Breeder and Head of Oilseeds Program at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, India. Later at ICRISAT he worked to develop early maturing, drought and aflatoxin resistant, and high oil groundnut varieties.
Thirty of his varieties are grown in 22 countries. His seminal work on postulating mini core concept has been recognized as ‘International Public Goods’, which led to the identification of climate-smart and seed nutrient dense germplasm.