From Cow Dung to Padma Shri: Scientist Ashok's Basmati Varieties Boost India's Economy by ₹50,000 Crore

• Ashok Kumar Singh, an agricultural scientist, will be awarded the Padma Shri 2026 for his contributions to developing improved Basmati rice varieties.
• Born in Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, Singh's journey began with farming alongside his parents, leading him to pursue higher education in agriculture at IARI, Delhi.
• He joined IARI as a scientist in 1994, dedicating his career to rice breeding, and has since received calls from over 12,000 farmers he collaborated with.
• Singh developed Pusa Basmati 1509 and Pusa Basmati 1692, varieties that mature in 120 days, allowing farmers to cultivate multiple crops and avoid pesticide use.
• These disease-resistant varieties have significantly increased India's Basmati exports, contributing ₹50,000 crore (6 billion USD) annually to the economy.

Why It Matters: Scientist Ashok Kumar Singh's innovative Basmati rice varieties have earned him a Padma Shri and ₹50,000 crore for India.