Bhubaneswar,May 24: Dr. Swati Nayak, an acclaimed agricultural scientist from Odisha, has been featured in the newly released comic book “Her Story”, published by the Indian National Science Academy. The book celebrates 10 distinguished Indian women scientists who are transforming the world through their groundbreaking contributions to science. Dr. Nayak is the sole representative from the field of agriculture.
A key figure at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Dr. Nayak currently holds the position of Head of Seed and Product Management for South Asia and serves as the Global Coordinator for Seed Delivery under the CGIAR Science Program. Her work primarily focuses on improving crop productivity by leveraging genetic advancements in plant breeding.
In 2023, Dr. Nayak was awarded the prestigious Norman Borlaug Award by the World Food Prize Foundation in recognition of her exceptional contributions to global food security. With over 15 years of experience, she has been instrumental in advancing rural innovation models, scaling sustainable and climate-smart agriculture, and developing high-quality seeds through extensive germplasm research.
Most recently, she received the Climate Champion Award from NDTV India in 2024 for her continued efforts in promoting climate-resilient farming. Dr. Nayak has conducted more than 10,000 on-farm trials and has actively promoted over 20 high-performing, climate-resilient, and bio-safe crop varieties across various agro-ecological regions.
Her inclusion in “Her Story” places her alongside India’s most influential women scientists, highlighting her role in shaping a sustainable agricultural future.
