Dr. Debojit Sarma is a Professor of Plant Breeding and Genetics in the Faculty of Agriculture, Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Jorhat, India. With an illustrious career spanning over thirty-eight years in teaching, research, and agricultural extension, he is widely recognized for his pioneering work in mutation breeding, rice improvement, and legume varietal development.

Throughout his academic tenure, Dr. Sarma has made landmark contributions to enhancing the productivity, stress tolerance, and nutritional quality of crops, with a special focus on rice and pulses suited to the agro-climatic conditions of Assam and the Northeast region of India.

Research Contributions & Innovations

Dr. Sarma has been instrumental in developing and identifying several high-yielding, stress-tolerant, and nutritionally enriched crop varieties, including:

• Two mungbean varieties (AAU 34 and AAU 39) suitable for both summer and kharif seasons of Assam.

• Rice genetic stocks with high grain iron content (e.g., Dhirendra), anaerobic germination ability (Solpuna), vegetative cold tolerance (Boro-1), drought tolerance (Banglami), and N-use efficiency (JKOJM-200-665-4, JKOJM-200-2088-4).

• Fertility restorers for Wild Abortive CMS lines such as Swarna, Improved Samba Mahsuri, and Bahadur.

• Joha rice mutants (AAU Trombay Joha Dhan-1 and AAU Trombay Joha Dhan-2), exhibiting superior aroma and yield.

• Synchronous maturity mungbean mutant (AAU SM 3-1), currently on the verge of release.

His ongoing work in mutation breeding, nutrient use efficiency, and medicinal rice research has significantly advanced the genetic improvement of major crops in Eastern India.

Major Projects & Leadership Roles

Dr. Sarma has successfully led and coordinated multiple national and international research collaborations, including:

• Coordinator, BARC-AAU MoU (2021–2024) on radiation-based crop improvement and post-harvest preservation.

• Principal Investigator, Hybrid Rice Programme (2011–2024) and Mutation Breeding Projects funded by BRNS, DAE, Government of India.

• Co-Principal Investigator for several ICAR- and BRNS-sponsored projects on genetic improvement of rice, legumes, and root crops.

Under his guidance, two M.Sc. and seven Ph.D. programmes have been successfully completed within the BARC-AAU collaboration framework.

Agro-Technologies & Impact

Dr. Sarma’s innovations have directly benefited farmers, research institutions, and seed development programs through:

• Development of 39 fertility restorers and 8 maintainers for hybrid rice breeding.

• Twenty promising heterotic rice hybrids identified for commercial exploitation.

• 26.7% augmentation of rice germplasm collection at Sri Bhumi.

• Introduction of high-yielding and pest-tolerant lines in multiple crops, including soybean, black gram, pigeonpea, turmeric, and ginger.

His efforts have strengthened regional food security and sustainable crop production systems under changing climatic conditions.

Professional Experience

• Professor (2009–Present) – Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics, College of Agriculture, AAU, Jorhat.

• Principal Scientist & Senior Scientist – AICRP on Rice, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Karimganj.

• Junior Scientist & Assistant Crop Breeder – Rice and Potato Research Schemes, AAU, Jorhat.

• Coordinator and Collaborator – BARC, BRNS, and ICAR projects.

Awards, Fellowships & Distinctions

• The Netherlands Government Fellowship for the International Potato Course (1995).

• University Merit Scholarships in B.Sc. (Agri.) and M.Sc. (Agri.).

• Recognized nationally for outstanding contributions to rice improvement and mutation breeding.

• Reviewer for reputed international journals including BMC Plant Biology, Discover Plants, and Journal of Agricultural Sciences (Cambridge).

• Associate Editor, International Journal of Agriculture Sciences (Bioinfo Publications).

Memberships & Professional Engagements

• Life Member – Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding

• Life Member – Society for Advancement of Rice Research

• Member – Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) and ISOFAR

• Member – Board of Studies, Discipline-wise Technical Committee (Crop Improvement), and Zonal Research and Extension Advisory Committee of AAU.

Publications

Dr. Sarma has published extensively in peer-reviewed international and national journals, with recent works in the Indian Journal of Agricultural Research and Journal of Advances in Biology & Biotechnology.
He has also contributed to book chapters in high-impact scientific volumes, such as Epigenetics for Climate-Smart and Sustainable Agriculture (CABI, 2025).

Eligibility for Lifetime Achievement Award

With over 38 years of exemplary service in teaching, research, and agricultural innovation, Dr. Debojit Sarma has significantly advanced the field of plant breeding, genetics, and mutation breeding for sustainable agriculture. His long-standing commitment to crop improvement, development of regionally adapted varieties, leadership in collaborative projects, and mentorship of future scientists make him highly deserving of the Lifetime Achievement Award in Scientific Laurels.