'Potato man' Pandey to get Rafi Ahmed Kidwai award

Shimla, Jun 18 (UNI) Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) Director S K Pandey has been awarded the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai award for 2006-06 for his outstanding contribution in diversification of potato production and storage resulting in increased productivity and availability.

The award carries a cash prize of Rs three lakh, a citation and a certificate.

Union Minister of Agriculture Sharad Pawar would present the award to him on July 16, on the occasion of the foundation day of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi.

Dr Pandey, with over 36 years experience in potato research had developed 13 high yielding varieties, including four first-ever indigenous processing varieties of Kufri Chipsona-one, two, three and Kufri Himsona.

Besides, he also pioneered the technology for potato production for processing of potatoes into chips and French fries.

The CPRI director, credited with a patent on ''Automated Hydroponic System for Potato Microtuber Production in vitro'', is a recipient of several prestigious awards including Kaushalya Sikka Award of Indian Potato Association, Outstanding Multidisplinary Team Research Award of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, JC Anand Gold Medal of Horticultural Society of India and Shri LC Sikka Endowment Award of National Academy of Agriculture Sciences.

UNI