Dr Charudatta Mayee, President of the Cotton Association of India and the South Asia Biotech Center, has been honored as the 2025 ICAC Researcher of the Year by the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC). The award, which includes a certificate, a shield, and a $1,000 honorarium, recognizes his outstanding contributions to cotton science and biotechnology.
An instrumental figure in India’s Bt cotton adoption, Dr Mayee co-chaired the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee, facilitating biosafety assessments and regulatory approvals. His research spans plant pathology, biotechnology, and agricultural policy, with a strong emphasis on improving farmer livelihoods.
With a career spanning over five decades, Dr Mayee has earned numerous awards, including the Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship, multiple lifetime achievement recognitions, and national honors such as the Vasantrao Naik Krishi Award and ICAR Outstanding Team Research Award. His current focus lies in sustainable pest control and high-density planting systems (HDPS) for smallholder cotton farmers. Through his work with Agrovision Foundation and South Asia Biotech Center, he continues to advocate for policy changes and innovations benefiting India’s cotton-growing community.