Eminent rice scientist Dr Himanshu Pathak joined as the new Director of National Rice Research Institute (NRRI) here on Monday. Earlier, he was working as a Senior Scientist at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi.
An expert on soil science and agricultural chemistry, Dr Pathak has published more than 200 research papers and authored at least 11 books, most of which are on climate change. He is also a visiting scientist in the UK-based University of Essex, Philippines-based IRRI and Germany-based Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research.
Speaking to this correspondent, Pathak said his new assignment is relatively challenging as he would be working mainly on improving rice productivity in the country, particularly in eastern India against the backdrop of climate change and at the same time managing the natural resources.