Dr Achla Sharma, Principal Wheat Breeder, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), has been conferred with “Dr S Rajaram Outstanding Women Scientist Award 2023” by the Society for Advancement of Wheat and Barley Research, India in recognition of her outstanding contribution to wheat breeding. Dr Sharma has been instrumental in strengthening of wheat research with the development of 18 improved wheat varieties. The major wheat varieties include Unnat PBW 343, PBW 1 Chapati, PBW 803, PBW 1 Zinc and PBW Zinc 2 (biofortified wheat varieties); PBW 869; PBW 826 and PBW RS 1.

Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU; Dr AS Dhatt, Director of Research, and Dr VS Sohu, Head, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, congratulated and lauded Dr Sharma for her unceasing devotion to the agricultural research.