R. H. Richharia
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R. H. Richharia | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1909 Nandanwara, Hoshangabad district, Madhya Pradesh, India |
| Died | 1996 (aged 86–87) |
| Alma mater | Nagpur University |
| Known for | Conservation of indigenous rice varieties |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Agronomy, Botany |
| Institutions | Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI), Indira Gandhi Agricultural University (IGAU) |
Radhelal Harelal Richharia (1909–1996) was an Indian agronomist and rice scientist renowned for his extensive work in conserving indigenous rice varieties.[1] He played a pivotal role in documenting and preserving India's rich rice biodiversity, amassing a collection of approximately 19,000 rice varieties during his career.[2][3]
Richharia was born in 1909 in Nandanwara village, Hoshangabad district, Madhya Pradesh. Influenced by his father's interest in gardening, he developed an early fascination with plants. He pursued higher education in Botany, completing his M.Sc. from Nagpur University.[4]
Career
In 1959, Richharia was appointed as the director of the Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI) in Cuttack, Odisha, a position he held until 1966. During his tenure, he emphasized the importance of indigenous rice varieties and initiated extensive collection and conservation efforts.[5][6]
Later, he served as the director of the Madhya Pradesh Rice Research Institute (MPRRI) in Raipur (present–day Chhattisgarh), where he continued his work on rice biodiversity. His efforts led to the establishment of a comprehensive rice germplasm collection, which became a valuable resource for future research and breeding programs.[7][8]
From 1978 to 1991, Richharia continued his scientific work from his residence and a small farm near Bhopal, despite lacking institutional support. He faced considerable adversity, including personal loss and systemic pushback due to his opposition to the indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides and promotion of indigenous agricultural practices.[9]
In 1984, he was affected by the Bhopal gas tragedy, and later that year, he suffered a heart attack, the aftereffects of which impacted him for the remainder of his life. Despite these setbacks, Richharia remained dedicated to his mission. He was supported by his daughter and family, who helped him maintain his work.[9]
He engaged in the compilation of a large-scale encyclopedia of rice germplasm from Madhya Pradesh, cataloguing over 20,000 rice cultivars. He also prepared a Botanical Dictionary of Useful Plants of India, with work on it beginning in 1946–47 and accumulating over 8,000 entries including botanical names, family names, local names, and other data.[9]
Contributions
Richharia's most notable contribution was his dedication to preserving traditional rice varieties. He believed that these varieties possessed unique traits such as pest resistance, adaptability to local conditions, and nutritional value. His collection of 19,000 rice varieties is currently housed at the Indira Gandhi Agricultural University (IGAU) in Raipur.[2][10]
In addition to his conservation efforts, Richharia authored several publications advocating for sustainable agriculture and the protection of farmers' rights. His work emphasized the significance of indigenous knowledge and the need to safeguard genetic diversity in crops.
Legacy
Despite facing challenges and opposition, Richharia's work laid the foundation for future research in rice biodiversity and sustainable agriculture. In recognition of his contributions, the Dr. R.H. Richharia Research Laboratory was inaugurated at IGAU in 2014.[7]
Selected publications
- Rice in Abundance for All Times Through Rice Clones: A Possible One-grain Rice Revolution – R.H. Richharia