Bhubaneswar: Odia scientist Dr Swati Nayak formally received the prestigious Norman Borlaug Field Award, 2023 from the World Food Prize Foundation at the Borlaug Dialogue on 24 October- 2:40 PM (CDT), i.e. October 25 in India, at IOWA, USA.
An announcement in this regard was made on September 19, 2023, at New York Climate Week through a special press release.
This highly prestigious award and honour by the World Food Prize Foundation is given to exceptional scientists under the age of 40 years working in the field of food and nutrition security, hunger eradication, and exhibiting the character and attributes of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Green Revolution’s Chief Architect Dr. Norman Borlaug.
Dr Nayak is currently working as a scientist with Manila-based CGIAR – International Rice Research Institute. She is a native of Odisha and the daughter of Laxmidhar Nayak and Bijayalaxmi Naik who reside in Bhubaneswar.
“I dedicate this award to thousands of agriculture extensionists, change agents, and specifically young women scientists who work in the field and remain committed towards the betterment of smallholder farmers, rural population, and their livelihood”, said Dr. Nayak.
Dr Nayak currently resides in Delhi along with her husband Priyadarsi Bal and daughter, Advika Nayak Bal. By winning this award she has brought glory and pride to India and Odisha as well as the entire agriculture scientific fraternity.
