M. Mahadevappa

Madappa Mahadevappa(born 4 August 1937), popularly known as Rice Mahadevappa is an Indian agricultural scientist and plant breeder, renowned for developing high yielding hybrid varieties of rice. He served as the Vice-chancellor of University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad for two terms and as the chairman of Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board under Indian Council of Agricultural Research of which he is a current member of governing council. He is the recipient of Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian honour and various other accolades.

Contributions

Mahadevappa, an elected fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, has contributed extensively to the Indian agrarian community through various innovative application and research initiatives including development of over nine varieties of High yielding Hybrid rice varieties. While being a pioneer in hybrid rice farming in the country, he has been also credited for his Integrated Parthenium Weed Management, a scientific and efficient weed management technique againist the invasive Parthenium.