Member's Profile

Born on August 9, 1936, Prof. Virendra Lal Chopra obtained his Associateship of Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in 1957 and Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh in 1987.

Prof. Chopra is a proactive researcher, an able administrator and a respected teacher, He has made significant contributions in generation and management of genetic variability and development of products of commercial value in the form of released crop varieties. Using biotechnologies! approaches, Prof. V.L. Chopra, along with his colleagues, has developed varieties of mustard, which have resulted in higher yields of seed and oil. His studies on reproductive control of Brassica has led to the development of diversified cytoplasmic male sterile lines and their restorers, thus, laying foundation for production of hybrids of Indian Mustard, Brassica juncea.

Prof. V.L. Chopra has served IARI for more than four decades in various capacities. He was Professor of Genetics from 1970 to 1974 and Head of the Division of Genetics from 1972 to 1980, In 1985 he took over as the founder Project Director of The Biotechnology Centre of IARI and was responsible for establishing it as an Institution of international fame. As an FAO's Consultant to the Govt. of Vietnam, he helped in establishing the Institute of Agricultural Genetics in Vietnam. In 1992 Prof. Chopra took over as Director General of Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education. In recognition of his research contributions Prof. Chopra was awarded the National Professorship, Dr. B.P. Pal Chair of ICAR in 1994. He is presently Chancellor of Central Agricultural University, Imphal.

Prof. Chopra has guided over a score Ph.D. students, He has been honoured by a number of science academies and societies in India and abroad. He is a Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy, the Third World Academy of Science, European Academy of Science, Arts and Humanities and President of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences. He served as President of the International Genetics Federation, Indian Society of Genetics and Plant-Breeding, Society for Oilseed Research and Society for Advancement of Breeding Research in Asia and Oceania. Prof. Chopra has been Vice-Chairman of the Boards of the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources and International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics and a member of the Boards of CIMMYT and IRRI. His role in the organization of the XV International Congress of Genetics in 1983 was widely appreciated.

Prof. V.L. Chopra is recipient of a number of national and international awards. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1985. He has authored nine books on genetics and biotechnology and published more than 150 research papers in prestigious journals. He is currently Member of the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Cabinet and Science Council of the CGIAR.