Father of Hybrid Sorghum Neelamraju Ganga Prasada Rao passes away

Distinguished agricultural scientist Neelamraju Ganga Prasada (NGP) Rao, fondly referred to as the Father of Hybrid Sorghum, passed away on 27 July 2016 in Hyderabad following a brief illness. He was 89.

NGP Rao is well-known for basic and applied research in breeding and agronomy of several dryland crops.

About Neelamraju Ganga Prasada Rao
• Born in Korisapadu, Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh, Rao had his early education in the Agricultural College, Bapatla.
• Due to his efforts, sorghum hybrids CSH1 CSH5 and CSH9 became popular and were cultivated in over 8 to 10 million hectares.
• His contributions in dryland crops, particularly long staple desi cotton, pigeonpea, castor and novel cropping systems, were well recognised.
• Rao also held various positions such as Consultant to the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), Project Coordinator (Sorghum), All-India Coordinated Sorghum Improvement Project, many more.
• He has around 200 research publications in national and international journals.
• He was awarded with the SS Bhatnagar Prize for Biological Sciences for his efforts.

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