Srinagar: With 38 maize varieties developed for cultivation across India and research spanning crop improvement, stress tolerance and biofortification, Dr. Zahoor Ahmad Dar, Professor at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), has been selected for the Dr. S. K. Vasal Award for Excellence in Maize Research.
Dr. Dar, based at the Dryland Agriculture Research Station (DARS), Rangreth, will receive the award at the 1st International Maize Conference-2026, scheduled to be held in Hyderabad from November 2 to 4.
The 38 maize varieties developed through his research are cultivated across more than 80,000 hectares, reflecting the reach of his work in maize improvement. His research focuses on developing productive, climate-resilient and nutritionally enhanced varieties to address emerging agricultural challenges and strengthen food and nutritional security.
With over 300 research papers published in national and international journals, Dr. Dar has also contributed to externally funded research projects, maize germplasm registration with the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), and the mentoring of maize research programmes under the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) across several states. He has additionally served on the editorial boards of 12 scientific journals.
Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Dr. Dar thanked the Almighty, his family and the SKUAST-K administration, particularly the Vice-Chancellor. He also acknowledged the support of his colleagues, friends, students and the AICRP on Maize fraternity.
The recognition marks an achievement for SKUAST-K’s maize research programme and acknowledges Dr. Dar’s contributions to crop improvement and the development of maize varieties for diverse agricultural conditions.
