Dr. Rajendra Wagh his professional career at Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (MPKV), Rahuri, in 1985 as a Junior Research Assistant in Agricultural Botany. Over the years, he progressed through several academic, research, and administrative positions, including Senior Research Assistant, Sugarcane Physiologist, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor of Botany, Professor and Cotton Breeder, Associate Director of Research, and Director of Research at MPKV, Rahuri. Since August 2024, he has been serving as Principal of SBT College of Agriculture, Sangamner.

He has extensive experience in teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students, supervising research scholars, managing laboratories and research facilities, coordinating academic programmes, and contributing to university-level research administration.

Research & Scientific Contributions

Dr. Wagh has made substantial contributions to crop improvement, plant physiology, genetics, biotechnology, and agricultural production. His research has particularly focused on cotton improvement, plant physiological responses to environmental stresses, genetic variability, crop breeding, and development of improved agricultural technologies.

He has contributed 85 scientific research papers, 65 technical research papers, 80 extension publications, 20 research recommendations, 10 book chapters, and 7 books/booklets. His publications include research on cotton, wheat, tomato, sorghum, chickpea, soybean, and other important crops.

His research has addressed subjects such as genetic variability and heritability, temperature stress, biochemical and physiological responses of crops, stress tolerance, cotton pests, and crop yield improvement.

Crop Varieties & Hybrids Developed

A major highlight of Dr. Wagh's career is his contribution to crop breeding and varietal development. He has been associated with the development of improved varieties and hybrids of cotton, tomato, and onion.

Notable cotton varieties include Phule Chetana, Phule Mahi, Phule Ekata, and Phule Shubhra, while tomato varieties include Dhanashree, Bhagyashree, Phule Kesari, Rajashree (F1), and Phule Raja (F1). He also contributed to the development of Phule Samarth onion.

He played an important role in the release of the extra-long-staple inter-specific cotton hybrid Phule Shubhra (RHB1623) for the Central and South Zones of India and contributed to the development of compact Bt cotton lines, varieties, and hybrids suitable for high-density planting systems.

Research Projects & Funded Work

Dr. Wagh has handled six externally funded research projects supported by organizations including ICAR, NOVOD Board, PPV&FRA, Government of Maharashtra, CCI, and CICR. These projects covered tomato disease resistance, Jatropha and Karanja development, tree-borne oilseed plantations, cotton DUS testing, Bt gene introgression, and extension services for cotton farmers.

His projects demonstrate his ability to translate scientific research into practical agricultural applications and farmer-oriented technologies.

Teaching, Mentoring & Extension

As a recognized teacher for M.Sc. and Ph.D. programmes in Plant Physiology, Dr. Wagh has contributed extensively to postgraduate education and research supervision. He has served as a guide/co-guide for UG, PG, and Ph.D. students and delivered lectures to scientists and postgraduate students through advanced training programmes.

He has also organized personality-development programmes, seminars, workshops, and scientific events, including the ISPP West Zonal Seminar on Plant Physiology. His extension activities have helped disseminate improved agricultural practices and crop production technologies to farming communities.

Administrative & Institutional Leadership

Dr. Wagh has held several important leadership responsibilities, including Associate Director of Research and Director of Research at MPKV, Rahuri, Head of the Department of Botany, Associate Dean, Student Welfare Officer, State Coordinator of Plant Physiology and Irrigated Cotton, and various laboratory and research facility in-charge positions.

He has also contributed to the development of research infrastructure, including phytotron facilities, plant physiology laboratories, farm development, irrigation pipelines, farm ponds, ginning facilities, compost and vermicompost units, and agricultural demonstration facilities.

Awards & Recognitions

Dr. Wagh has received several awards recognizing his scientific, academic, and professional contributions, including:

• Best Agricultural Scientist Award – MCAER, Government of Maharashtra (2024)
• Best Oral Presentation Award – ISPP West Zonal Seminar (2022)
• Best Paper Presentation Award – ISPP West Zonal Seminar (2018)
• 5th Academic Brilliance Award – Best Faculty Award (2018)
• Rajiv Gandhi Excellence Award (2012)
• Glory of India Gold Medal (2011)
• Rashtriya Gaurav Award (2011)
• Best Citizen of India Award (2011)

He was also associated with the Excellence Centre Award 2023 under the AINP-JAF Scheme for the Cotton Improvement Project at MPKV, Rahuri.

Professional Memberships

He is a life member of several professional organizations, including the Indian Society for Plant Physiology, Indian Society for Vegetable Science, Indian Society of Agroforestry, Forum for Plant Physiologists, and Maharashtra Society of Plant Breeding and Genetics.

Significant Contributions to Agriculture

Among his notable contributions are the identification and documentation of important cotton pests in Maharashtra, successful implementation of extra-long-staple cotton projects, development of improved Bt cotton materials, organization of national-level scientific workshops, and establishment of agricultural research and farm-development infrastructure.

His combination of research excellence, crop breeding expertise, postgraduate teaching, farmer-oriented extension, scientific publications, externally funded projects, and institutional leadership reflects a sustained contribution to agricultural science.

Eligibility for Best Scientist Award

Dr. Rajendra Wagh is highly eligible for the Best Scientist Award in Scientific Laurels. His eligibility is strongly supported by his nearly four decades of professional experience, extensive scientific publication record, leadership in agricultural research, development of improved crop varieties and hybrids, successful management of externally funded projects, postgraduate research supervision, and significant contributions to cotton and plant physiology research.

His receipt of the Best Agricultural Scientist Award 2024, along with multiple scientific presentation and academic excellence awards, further demonstrates recognition of his research accomplishments. His work in crop improvement, stress physiology, cotton breeding, agricultural extension, and research administration establishes him as a strong candidate for the Best Scientist Award.