Odia IAS officer Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee, who is on Central deputation and heading the International Crop Research Institute For the Semi Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has been selected for the AIASA National Award 2016 for his outstanding contribution to agriculture development in the country.
Padhee did his PhD from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI). Besides, he has also got an MPA degree from University of Birmingham, UK. It is during his time as Director, Agriculture and Food Production; the Odisha Agriculture Policy was adopted.
A jury headed by Central Agriculture University, Imphal Chancellor Prof RB Singh Chancellor has decided to confer the award on Padhee.
Padhee will receive the award from the Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare at a programme to be held at University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka on February 20, sources said.