Dr Rajendra Paroda is an acclaimed agricultural scientist specialising in plant genetics and breeding. His contributions to plant breeding and genetic resource management are globally recognised and include establishing the first modern national genebank in India. 

As Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education, he modernised India’s agricultural research system, creating more than 30 new research institutes. The resulting innovations doubled India’s food grain production from 130 million tons in 1980 to 260 million tons in 2011, underpinning food security for a rapidly growing population. 

Rajendra’s outstanding contributions have strengthened agricultural research and innovation internationally, particularly in Asia and the developing world. He established and then led key international bodies, including the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR) and the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI). 

Rajendra has a long association with Australian scientists and organisations, including CSIRO. He served on the Advisory Council of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.