The Idea of NB-ICAD

The idea of ICAD conceived during the celebration of Dr. Norman Borlaug’s Birth Centenary at the University in 2014. Dr. Bhimu Patil participated as a key speaker and shared the life and contributions of Dr. Borlaug. In his presidential remarks, then Vice Chancellor Dr. D.P. Biradar announced establishing an international center to commemorate the birth centenary of Dr. Borlaug. He expressed his views about Dr. Borlaug and his association as a student with Dr. Borlaug on this historic occasion. To pay a befitting tribute to the great international agricultural scientist who won Nobel Peace Prize, Dr. Biradar announced the establishment of ICAD. This new center will emulate and remember the legacy of Dr. Borlaug, who worked until the age of 95 in international agriculture, specifically for Indian agriculture and feeding the world.

With this background, a delegation led by then Vice-Chancellor Dr. D. P. Biradar, Interim President Texas A & M University Dr. Mark Hussey, and Director Vegetable and Fruit Improvement Center, TAMU, USA Dr. Bhimu Patil met Shri Siddaramaiah, Honorable Chief Minister of Karnataka in Bengaluru on 24th May 2014, and submitted a proposal to establish a center of excellence commemorating Birth Centenary of Dr. Norman Borlaug. Honorable Chief Minister, in principle, consented to the establishment of center of excellence. And delegation appealed to the CM to provide a one-time grant of Rs. 10 crores for this purpose. It was also decided to approach funding agencies like Bill Gates Foundation and others for financial resources. To provide a platform, center was named as the “International Centre for Agricultural Development” (ICAD) to commemorate the birth anniversary (1914-2014) of Noble Laureate and global agricultural expert Dr. Norman Borlaug. The center, while paying homage to the efforts of Dr. Borlaug, it also strives to carry forward his message to the younger generations. In responding to our request Dr. (Ms.) Jeanie Borlaug Laube, daughter of Dr. Norman Borlaug and Chair Borlaug Global Rust Initiative (BGRI), Cornell University, and resides in Dallas, Texas, USA, has, with great pleasure and honor, provided the consent of the Borlaug family for naming ICAD at UAS, Dharwad as Dr. Norman Borlaug International Centre for Agricultural Development (NB-ICAD). Further, she accepted our request to inaugurate, and accordingly center was inaugurated by Jeanie Borlaug on 5th January 2018. Present Honourable Vice-Chancellor Dr. P. L. Patil's keen interest in international activities led to several new programs that are initiated and are currently in progress, while rejuvenating many successful old programs under NB-ICAD.