Underlining its commitment to empowering female leaders, Yara India, a subsidiary of global crop nutrition leader Yara International, has announced the inaugural recipients of its Women in Agronomy Scholar Awards.
The awards for 2025-26 celebrated five exceptional female PhD students making waves in Agronomy and Soil Science. Originally planned for five awardees, the initiative expanded due to the extraordinary talent on display.
The honoured scholars are Ruchi Rajpoot (Rani Lakshmibai Central Agricultural University), Meka Kalyani (Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University), Dharani S (Kerala Agricultural University), Gobikashri N. (Pondicherry University), and Barsha Mansingh (CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University).
Each recipient receives a US$ 1,500 financial grant to support tuition, research, or living expenses. Beyond funding, the award offers a six-month research mentorship program in 2026, giving scholars direct access to Yara’s R&D experts, guidance on advanced research methods, insights into industry trends, and visibility into career paths within Yara.
The program is designed to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world agricultural impact.
Sanjiv Kanwar, Managing Director of Yara South Asia, said: "We are immensely proud to recognize these five brilliant young women who embody the future of agricultural innovation in India. The Women in Agronomy Scholar Award is a testament to our commitment to nurturing academic excellence, fostering gender diversity, and bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and practical application in agriculture.
"Their dedication and hard work are an inspiration, and we are confident they will drive significant advancements in sustainable Indian agriculture. This initiative reinforces our belief that 'Knowledge grows' when we empower the brightest minds."
Rejane Souza, Senior Vice President of Global Innovation at Yara International, added: "This initiative signals the direction we want to take as a company and as an industry. When more women take part in the decisions and innovations that shape agriculture, the entire value chain becomes more resilient, productive and competitive.
'Investing in these students reinforces what we stand for: knowledge as the engine of innovation, and equity as a fundamental condition for sustainable progress."
The selection process included a rigorous review by a dedicated Yara Committee and virtual interviews with lead experts. Awardees were chosen based on academic merit, research relevance, interview performance, and motivation to contribute to the agricultural sector.
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