Agriculture R&D Services

 

MADDIPATLA.V.RAMA MANOHAR PRASAD

 

20 FOREST CT SOUTH
MONMOUTH JUNCTION, NJ 08852
ph: 5105521243
fax: 6096424541

Resume / CV

Over forty (40) years of experience in AGRICULTURE, Genetics and Breeding of oilseed crops, cashew, grain legumes and wheat, and Agronomy of semi-arid lands of Asia (India), South America (Brazil), Central America (Panama) and Africa (Mozambique & Ghana), with international recognition in the above areas of work.

Proficient in 1) English, 2) PORTUGUESE, 3) Hindi and 4) Telugu. Possesses working knowledge of Spanish.

  • Doctorate Degree in AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE Plant Genetics and Breeding.

    1. Developed superior cashew genotypes viz., 5.12 PA, 11.7PA, 7.10PA & 4.1 AD which have exhibited considerable degrees of genetic tolerance to resistance to the deadly cashew disease viz., Powdery mildew which devastated cashew production in Mozambique. This is a unique achievement that has provided Mozambique with the means of stabilizing cashew production at higher levels. Developed cashew variety EPACE MQ-10, suited for the low rainfall regions of North-eastern Brazil.
    2. Introduced most efficient cashew nursery technology based on “Soft-wood grafting” that paved the way for rapid vegetative propagation of improved cashew genotypes in Mozambique and Ghana leading to establishment of commercial cashew nurseries, which provided gainful employment for rural women. Trained many African technicians, scientists and rural women and men in cashew science and technologies.  
    3. Established strong programs of crop improvement and seed production in oilseed crops and cashew in India, Brazil, Panama, Mozambique and Ghana ensuring rapid technology transfer leading to positive results on farmers’ fields.
    4.  Contributed to enhancing the Indian oilseeds production leading to a revolution in Indian oilseed Crops’ Production popularly known as “YELLOW REVOLUTION” during 1987 to 1995.
    5. Headed and directed the Indian Oilseeds Research System creating perceptible impacts on research as well as extension fronts. Contributed to release of over 20 superior varieties of oilseed crops from the Indian Oilseeds Research system. Developed fruitful inter-institutional collaborations in oilseed crops.
    6. Individually developed and released superior crop varieties in Cashew (EPACE MQ-10), Groundnut [DRG-12 (Manikya), DRG-17 (Mukta), Castor beans (48-1 Jwala), Moth bean (Maru Moth-1), Cluster beans (Maru guar) and Durum Wheat (Malivika HD 4502) which opened up new avenues in enhancing and stabilizing crop production in developing countries of the third world.
    7. Contributed to the creation of new knowledge with regard to species – relationship and GENETIC DEFERENTIATION in WHEAT and GROUNDNUT, exploitation of physiological and development attributes of plant canopy frame for enhanced groundnut productivity and development of stable selection criteria and parental choice based on plant canopy growth for efficient breeding.
    8. Trained a large number of scientific and technical personnel including women in Asia, South America and Africa in Seed production technologies, Dry-land Crop Production technologies, and genetic improvement of Cashew, Oilseeds and Grain legumes.
    9. Guided and supervised the POST GRADUATE research work leading to Masters and Doctorate degrees of SIX candidates. Recognized Post Graduate teacher and Research Guide in BRAZIL and INDIA.
    10. Taught Post Graduate courses in CYTOGENETICS AND PLANT BREEDING for three years as visiting professor in BRAZIL.
    11. A) Edited the INDIAN JOURNAL OF OILSEEDS for over six years.       B) Worked as the Member of Editorial Board of Indian Journal of Agriculture Sciences, ICAR, New Delhi.
    12. Worked as the Vice President of Indian Society of Oilseeds Research.
    13. Worked as the Chairman of the International Safflower Germplasm Advisory Committee.
    14. Worked as the (a) External Examiner, (b) Judge and (c) Member of selection committees for examining the (a) Post Graduate students and (b) theses and (c) recruitment and evaluation of scientific personnel, on a number of occasions.
    15. Worked on several important review committees (numbering over27) and evaluated work of Scientific Institutes, Farm based Projects, Laboratories and Universities in India and abroad.
    16. (a) Organized and conducted two National Seminars of International significance in oilseed crops in India and edited and published the Proceedings. (b) Organized and conducted over nine National Annual Workshops in oilseed crops and several Group Discussion Meetings and Conferences in India. (c) Conducted the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Indian Oilseeds Research System.
    17. Worked with international organizations viz., EMBRAPA (Brazil), IICA (Inter American Institute for Co-Operation in Agriculture), African Development Bank, World Bank, Ministry of Agriculture of Mozambique and FAO.
    18. Worked as an Advisor on Cashew improvement for Voluntary and Non-government Agencies such as WORLD VISION, MOCITA and ADPP in Mozambique.
    19.  Worked from April to June 2007  as the LEADER of the TEAM constituted under the aegis of EUROPEAN COMMISSION to extend technical assistance to the Mozambican Institute of Cashew (INCAJU) for the elaboration of the Second Director’s Plan for Cashew development in Mozambique
    20. Familiar with computer applications including MS office, Power Point and Excel. I am computer savvy and have tremendous interest in updating and advancing my knowledge in soft ware applications.
    21. Designed and developed diverse farm based activities that ensured gainful employment to rural women and women farmers in Africa and India.

    22. Identified productive genotypes of Pongam tree or Karanj (Pongamia pinnata) suitable for bio-diesel production and standardized vegetative propagation technologies for rapid multiplication of promising genotypes of Pongamia.

  • professional record

    Technical Advisor on Cashew Production, TONATIU CORPORATION,

    DAVID, CHRIQUI, PANAMA  (from March 2004 to date)

    The job involves the following tasks:

    (1) Technical advice for the scientific management of the largest cashew production system in Central America,

    (2) Selection of elite cashew trees form the locally available cashew tree populations,

    (3) Developing a sound cashew production technologies involving the most efficient and commercially viable methods of cashew vegetative propagation,

    (4) Training of personnel in cashew production and nursery technologies,

    (5)Technical guidance for the establishment and management of new productive clonal orchards of cashew and

    (6) Technical guidance regarding appropriate cashew processing technologies.

    March 13, 2003-

    Feb.  15, 2004.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Technical Advisor, Af. D. B. – Ghana – Cashew Development Project, Ghana.

    ·      Provide advice to the Project Management Unit (PMU) on technical and economic issues relating to cashew production;

    ·      Develop training packages for the PMU and train Project Management staff on issues related to cashew production, processing, quality control and marketing;

    ·      In collaboration with the Project Agronomist, conduct regular visits to farmers' plantations to ensure that technology packages are adopted and applied as recommended and provide advice needed;

    ·      Compile monthly reports for submission to the Project Management

    ·      Ensure participation of women farmers in cashew production programs and design activities such as cashew nursery management and cashew processing for the benefit of rural women.

     

     

    May 2001-

    March 2003

    Adviser, ICAR funded Dry land Agricultural Project, YOUTH FOR ACTION, Hyderabad, India.

    1.       Train technical personnel in dryland crop production technology , dryland horticulture and seed production

    2.       Organize on farm research and front line demonstrations in dryland crop production technology

    3.       Organize seed production of improved hybrids and varieties of castor, pigeon pea, ground nut  (peanut) and millet on the farmers’ fields.

    4.       Integrate gender issues in the organization’s agricultural programs, Technical assistance and support, gender integration with special emphasis on the participation of women farmers in all the programs related to agriculture.   

     

    April 2000 –

    May 2001

    Member, National Review Committee for Dryland Agricultural Research, I.C.A.R. India, Hyderabad.

     

    1. Conduct a review, evaluation and assessment of the research work carried out for the past five years under the All India Coordinated Research project on Dryland Agriculture (AICRIPDA) .
    2. Visit the different centers under AICRPDA to examine and evaluate the research and extension activities carried out.
    3. Prepare a detailed Evaluation Report on the activities of the Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA) and ACRIPDA.
    4. Suggest improvements for strengthening dryland agricultural research in India. 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    May 02, 1995 -

    July 31, 1999

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    April-June 2007

     

     

    [a] Team leader (1995-96) and International Cashew Specialist, African Development Bank and World Bank, AUSTRAL-LOUIS BERGER, Cashew Rehabilitation Project, Ministry of Agriculture, Mozambique

     

    1.       Organize, supervise, guide and conduct applied research on cashew improvement to develop cashew production technologies, including technologies of efficient vegetative propagation and nursery management.

    2.       Carry out genetic improvement of cashew for productivity, nut size and resistance to pests and diseases.

    3.       Organize rapid vegetative propagation of superior cashew types on large scale for cashew rehabilitation.

    4.       Training Mozambican personnel and rural farmers including women in cashew nursery and production technologies.

    [b] Worked from April to June 2007  as the LEADER of the TEAM constituted under the aegis of EUROPEAN COMMISSION to extend technical assistance to the Mozambican Institute of Cashew (INCAJU) for the elaboration of the Second Director’s Plan for Cashew development in Mozambique

     

     

    December 3, 1991 - February 9, 1995

     

    Director, Directorate of Oilseeds Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India

      (ICAR).

     

    1.       Administer, coordinate and monitor the multi-disciplinary research programs of the All India Coordinated Research Project on Oilseeds consisting of 8 annual oilseeds (groundnut, rapeseed-mustard, sunflower, sesame, niger, safflower, castor and linseed) involving 7 coordinating units and 65 research centers.  Function as the fund releasing authority for oilseed research at the national research.

    2.       Supervise the work of the Project coordinates for each of the oilseeds crops. Directing and coordinating training programs under the National Communication Training Center on oilseeds.

    3.       Directing and guiding mission oriented basic and applied research on oilseed crops at the Directorate of Oilseed Research. Carrying out research administration. Involved in International collaborative research programs on oilseeds - ODNRI, UK; IDRC/SIDA on rapeseed-mustard; USSR on Sunflower.

    4.       Guiding the Extension programs in Oilseeds production with specific reference to the production by small farmers and rural women.

     

    January 1, 1986 - December 2, 1991

     

    Principal Scientist and Head of Plant Breeding, IARI Regional Station and Directorate of Oilseeds Research (DOR), Hyderabad.

    Head the plant breeding program, organizing, guiding and conducting research in genetics and breeding of groundnut and castor.

     

    January 1, 1985 - December 31, 1985

     

    Senior Scientist (S4) Oilseeds Breeding IARI Regional Station, Hyderabad, India.

    Planning, organizing, guiding and conducting research in genetics and plant breeding of groundnut and castor.

     

    July 1, 1984 - December 31, 1984

     

    Senior Scientist (S3), IARI Regional Station, Hyderabad, India.

    Planning, organizing, guiding and conducting research in genetics and oilseeds breeding (groundnut).

     

    July 11, 1981 -

    June 30, 1984

     

    Visiting Professor, International Specialist and Advisor in Plant Breeding, IICA / EMBRAPA / EPACE / Federal University of Ceara (Dept. of Plant Technology), Fortaleza, Brazil.

    1.       Strengthening research and teaching programs of the Departmento de Fitotecnia and carrying out post-graduate teaching and research in genetics and plant breeding at the Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza.

    2.       Training the scientists of EPACE (State Council of Agricultural Research, Ceara) in peanut and Cashew breeding .

    3.       Coordinating plant breeding research of EPACE/EMBRAPA, Brazil, in groundnut, castor and cashew.

    4.       Carrying out breeding research to develop promising varieties of groundnut and cashew for semi arid northeastern Brazil.

     

    July 1, 1977 -

    July 10, 1981

     

    Senior Scientist (S3), Oilseeds Breeding, ICAR, IARI Regional Station, Hyderabad, India.

    Planning, organizing, guiding and conducting research in genetics and breeding of groundnuts and castor beans.

     

    August 7, 1971 - June 30, 1977

     

    Plant Breeder (S2), ICAR Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.

    1.       Conducting, planning and guiding research in genetics and breeding of grain legumes and oilseed crops.

    2.       Developing suitable crop varieties for dryland agriculture.

     

    May 21, 1970 - August 6, 1971

     

    Pool Officer, CSIR, IARI, New Delhi, India.

    Conducting research in wheat cytogenetics and breeding.

     

    February 19, 1970 - May 20, 1970

     

    Assistant Cytogeneticist, ICAR, IARI, New Delhi, India.

    Conducting research in wheat cytogenetics and breeding.

     

    March 1, 1969 - February 18, 1970

     

    Senior Research Fellow, ICAR, IARI, New Delhi, India.

    Conducting research in wheat cytogenetics and breeding.

    Foreign Assignments

     

    1.       Brazil - July 1981 to July 1984. Worked as the visiting professor / International specialist / coordinator of IICA/EMBRAPA/UFC/EPACE, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil.

    2.       Krasnodar, USSR - August 17-29, 1991. Participated Indo-USSR Joint Workshop on Sunflower Production Post Harvest Technology Processing.

    3.       Bangkok, Thailand - December 17-20, 1991. Participated FAO Reg. Expert Consultation of Asian Network on Oilseed Crops.

    4.       Beijing, China - June 14-18, 1993. Participated in the Third International Safflower conference.

    5.       Mozambique (Africa): [A] May 1995 to July 31, 1999. Team Leader and International Cashew Specialist, African Development Bank,/Austral, World Bank and Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of Mozambique.

    6.       Mozambique (Africa) : [B] Worked from April to June 2007  as the LEADER of the TEAM constituted under the aegis of EUROPEAN COMMISSION to extend technical assistance to the Mozambican Institute of Cashew (INCAJU) for the elaboration of the Second Director’s Plan for Cashew development in Mozambique

    7.       Ghana, Africa – March 2003 to February 2004, Technical Advisor, Af.D.B.-Ghana-Cashew Development Project, Ministry of Food & Agriculture/Govt. of Ghana/DFS GmbH/ Af.D.B.

    8.       Panama, Central America – March 2004 to date, Technical Advisor on Cashew Production, Tonatiu Corporation, David, Chiriqui.

     

For a more detailed version of my resume or cv please contact me at info@mvrprasad.com

20 FOREST CT SOUTH
MONMOUTH JUNCTION, NJ 08852
ph: 5105521243
fax: 6096424541