Dr. Devendra Kumar Yadava
Deputy Director General (Crop Science) Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Bio
Dr Yadava is associated with Brassica breeding for 29 years and has revolutionized brassica breeding and seed system in India. He has contributed in development of 24 varieties which include 21 of mustard and three of pulses.
Mustard varieties include very early (105 days) and high-temperature tolerant, heat tolerant timely sown, quality oil with Low erucic acid and Canola quality. Pusa Double Zero Mustard 31, the Country’s FIRST Canola quality variety, is branded as “INDOLA” enabling the acceptability of mustard in non-traditional areas and southern regions making it pan India oil. These varieties have a significant share in Indian mustard breeder seed indents for last more than 10 years. He has contributed significantly to the development of state seed rolling plans. Varietal mismatches in breeder seed production have been brought down to 12.1% from 34.4% during 2014-15.
He is contributing towards development of various national regulations/ policies/ guidelines on Genome editing, revision of National Biodiversity Act 2002, Revision of Seed Policy 1988 and Seed Control (Order) 1983, Online Seed Portal (SATHI) and commercialization guidelines of ICAR Technologies.