Soil Scientist, World Food Award Winner Dr Rattan Lal To Get Padma Shri Award
His innovation and research has reduced hunger by pioneering agricultural methods across the globe that has helped to not just restore degraded soil but also reduce global warming.
Just like every year, the Indian government has announced the recipients of the prestigious civilian award Padma Shri this year.
And one of the recipients is a scientist who revolutionised research in the field of soil science, helping millions of farmers to help get better yield while also take better care of their land, meet Dr Rattan Lal, who is also the recipient of the World Food Award in 2020.
AP
Early education
Dr Rattan Lal was born in Karya, Punjab on September 5th, 1944 which is now a part of Pakistan after partition. He completed his Bachelor¡¯s degree in Science from Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana, followed by a Master¡¯s Degree in Science from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. After this, he headed to the US¡¯s Ohio State University to complete his PhD.
Research career
After completing his academics, he was a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Sydney from 1968-1969. After this, he moved to Nigeria, Africa for the role of a Soil Physicist at IITA, Ibadan, and worked there from 1970 to 1987.
In the year 1987, he arrived back at Ohio State University for the role of Distinguished University Professor of Soil Science and Director of Carbon Management and Sequestration Centre.
Through his research, he has developed and even promoted the use of novel soil-saving technique which has benefitted 500 million small farmers, improving the food and nutritional security of more than two billion people and saving hundreds of millions of hectares of natural tropical ecosystems.
His innovation and research has reduced hunger by pioneering agricultural methods across the globe that has helped to not just restore degraded soil but also reduce global warming.
He has also acted as the President of the International Union of Soil Science during the years 2017-2018.
Awards and accolades
While his name has come up for the reception of 2021 Padma Shri, Dr Rattan Lal has received a long list of awards, including Borlaug Award in the year 2005, Von Liebig award, 2006, Glinka World Soil Prize in 2018, Japan Prize in 2019.
However, the most prestigious award in this list is the World Food Prize Award, which he was awarded last year. This award has also been received the father of Green Revolution -- Dr M S Swaminathan.
AP
Upon receiving this award, Lal said in a statement, ¡°Soil science has been recognised by this award. I feel very happy about it. This award to a soil scientist highlights the importance of restoring and managing soil health. We need to give more attention to Dharti Mata (mother earth). Our Shastras and Puranas also indicated that we must pay respect to Dharti Mata. So this award means a lot to me.¡±
He added, ¡°It is a privilege and honour to be of service to the many small farmers from around the world because I was one of them. They are stewards of the land. They are the ones with the tremendous challenge of feeding the world.¡±
